Rory McIlroy is back.
The Northern Irish superstar made his first PGA Tour start of 2025 one to remember, clinching an impressive win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. With a dominant weekend performance (65, 66), McIlroy edged out Shane Lowry by two shots, silencing his doubters and igniting fresh excitement for what’s to come this season.
And now? He’s heading to Torrey Pines, where the numbers suggest he could be an overwhelming favorite.
McIlroy Proves Doubters Wrong at Pebble Beach
With a stacked field, including Scottie Scheffler’s return from injury, many expected the world No. 1 to steal the spotlight. But it was McIlroy who delivered a clinical performance, navigating Pebble Beach with precision, power, and elite shot-making.
“I was incredibly impressed with what Rory McIlroy did at Pebble Beach,” analyst Rick Gehman said on the RickRunGood podcast.
“He took lines I didn’t really know were possible. It was awesome stuff, and he used the driver as a weapon and he goes and wins at Pebble Beach.”
This win sets the tone for what could be a defining season for McIlroy, especially with major season looming.
McIlroy at Torrey Pines: A Course That Suits His Game
With the Genesis Invitational moving to Torrey Pines, McIlroy will play his second PGA Tour event of the year at a course where he has historically thrived.
His past performances at Torrey Pines are staggering:
📊 Rory McIlroy at Torrey Pines (Last Four Starts)
| Event | Finishing Position | Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green | Strokes Gained Putting | Total Strokes Gained |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 US Open | T7th | 12.420 | -2.340 | 10.090 |
| 2021 Farmers Insurance Open | T16th | 7.298 | 0.350 | 9.354 |
| 2020 Farmers Insurance Open | T3rd | 6.876 | 0.590 | 12.671 |
| 2019 Farmers Insurance Open | T5th | 6.282 | -0.693 | 11.890 |
📊 Credit: RickRunGood
Despite not having played here since 2021, McIlroy has never gained fewer than nine shots on the field in any of his Torrey Pines starts.
If his putting clicks, this week could be his to lose.
Can McIlroy Go Back-to-Back?
Fresh off his first win of the season, McIlroy heads into Torrey Pines as arguably the hottest player on the PGA Tour.
🔥 Can he make it two in a row?
🔥 Will he finally turn this early-season momentum into major dominance?
🔥 Could this be the year McIlroy finally wins that elusive fifth major?
One thing is clear: If McIlroy dominates Torrey Pines, the golf world will be on high alert.
