In the annals of golf history, two names stand tall when the discourse shifts to the mastery of driving the golf ball – Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. It was the precision of Woods’ driving that carved his path to glory in the late 20th and early 21st century, leaving his competitors gasping in his wake. In today’s era of cutting-edge technology and elevated standards, McIlroy continues to outshine his peers, his prowess on the greens unassailable.
Adam Scott, a seasoned golfer with a career that has weathered the changing tides of the sport, recently shared his perspective on these two golfing titans. With his first PGA Tour victory at the 2003 Deutsche Bank Championship and his recent win at the 2020 Genesis Invitational, Scott’s experience in the sport is second to none, making his insights particularly valuable.
Over the course of his career, Scott has shared the green with both Woods and McIlroy, providing him with the unique opportunity to witness their game up-close. His verdict on their driving skills might surprise some. Speaking before the Players Championship, Scott lavished praise on McIlroy, describing him as a “phenomenal player.” He elaborated, “He’s playing at such a high level all the time and he’s been doing it a long time now at the highest level. I played with him a couple of weeks ago at Torrey Pines, he’s a remarkable striker of the golf ball.”
Scott then compared McIlroy’s driving prowess to that of Woods in his prime, a compliment of the highest order in the world of golf. “His driving is… I got to play with Tiger Woods in the early 2000s. Watching him drive the golf ball, I mean, it’s that level. Maybe it’s better,” Scott mused. He further admired McIlroy’s game following his win at Pebble Beach, commending his well-rounded skillset. “The way he won at Pebble Beach the other week, putting well, chipping well, he’s the full package. I think his game has evolved and in every area seems to be getting better still.”
In the 2025 PGA Tour season, McIlroy has emerged as the player with the highest strokes gained off-the-tee, outperforming Taylor Pendrith and Keith Mitchell. While his driving distance ranks fifth, his accuracy is unmatched by those ahead of him.
However, McIlroy’s game isn’t without its challenges. Despite ranking 28th and 34th for strokes gained with approach shots and around the green respectively, his position is a less impressive 93rd in the putting category. To clinch victory in the upcoming Players Championship, Masters, or any other high-profile tournament, McIlroy will need to bring his ‘A’ game to the putting greens. But given his track record and the respect he commands from peers like Scott, it would be no surprise if McIlroy overcomes this hurdle with ease.
