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In a stunning display of golf mastery, Scottie Scheffler emerges victorious once again at the Memorial Tournament, breaking records and solidifying his name in the annals of golf history.

With this recent win, Scheffler secures his 16th PGA Tour win and clinches his third victory in the last four events he has competed in, mirroring his dominant performance in the 2024 season where he achieved seven remarkable wins. This triumph at the Muirfield Village Golf Club not only cements his status as a golfing powerhouse but also marks his third successful title defense, a feat achieved only by the likes of legends such as Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

Joining the ranks of Rory McIlroy as the only player with three victories on the PGA Tour this season, Scheffler’s back-to-back win at the Memorial Tournament is a rare accomplishment that hasn’t been seen since the days of Tiger Woods’ three consecutive victories from 1999 to 2001.

If Scheffler seals this win, he will join an exclusive club of players with three successful title defenses on the PGA Tour, a club currently inhabited by only two members in the last 30 years – Phil Mickelson with five and Tiger Woods with a staggering 23. The echoes of greatness resound as Scheffler’s name etches itself into the elite history of golf.

As the golfing world watches in awe, Scottie Scheffler continues to dazzle and break barriers, proving time and time again why he is a force to be reckoned with on the green.

How Rory McIlroy felt when he met Tiger Woods for the first time – all golf fans can resonate

Despite having five majors to his name, Rory McIlroy still pales in comparison to the GOAT that is Tiger Woods.

When it comes to sporting icons, not many are more iconic than the 15-time major champion.

First shooting to prominence in the 1990s, Woods went on to single-handedly transform the game of golf into the worldwide phenomenon it is today.

Given what he has done for the sport, the five-time Augusta winner is held as almost a god-like figure amongst fellow players and fans – a sentiment that was felt by McIlroy during the pair’s first-ever meeting.

Rory McIlroy on meeting Tiger Woods for first time

McIlroy’s worldwide fame has meant he has had the chance to meet countless celebrities, politicians and fellow sports stars over the years.

There seems to be only one person, however, who gets McIlroy nervous – that being golfing icon Woods.

When speaking on his first interaction with Woods, the Northern Irishman revealed he was starstruck when meeting him for the first time at 15 years old (via CBS Sports).

“I think the first time I met Tiger, I was a little star-struck,” McIlroy said in 2012.

“I watched him on TV winning majors by 15 and 12 and doing things that no one else could.”

“It’s funny, I was talking about this last night,” he said. “I was more nervous meeting Tiger than I was meeting Barack Obama.”

McIlroy and Woods have become good friends

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy
BELLEAIR, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 10: (L-R) Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Tiger Woods of the United States take part in the Bleacher Report Press Conference on the range prior to The Match 7 at Pelican Golf Club on December 10, 2022 in Belleair, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images for The Match)

21 years on from that iconic meeting, McIlroy and Woods have been able to strike a close bond on and off the golf course.

Whether it be practising their 9 irons or even launching a business together, it seems like Woods has gone from idol to friend in the eyes of the Northern Irishman.

When speaking on his relationship with the golfing GOAT, McIlroy told Sportsnet in 2025:

“The way I always describe my relationship with Tiger is that people would say, ‘never meet your heroes’ and I met my hero and he exceeded my expectations. So he has been nothing but wonderful to me, my family, the whole way through my career.”

McIlroy then added: “And it’s really cool to not just call him a competitor but also a business partner, a colleague, a friend. It’s really cool. I am super fortunate that I have the relationship with him that I do.”

Golf influencer Paige Spiranac revealed an unusual but memorable detail about her interaction with Tiger Woods.

During her appearance on the Vanity Index podcast, Spiranac admitted that the golf legend not only gave her a valuable chipping lesson but also left a lasting impression with his scent.

“I want to play with Tiger,” Spiranac said when asked who she dreams of playing golf with.

She went on to describe a past encounter where Woods personally showed her how to hit a tricky low-spin shot at a charity event.

“He gave me a chipping lesson… We opened the club, narrow stance, choked down, and hit this shot that came out low, then checked on the second bounce. It was really cool.”

But it wasn’t just Woods’ golf skills that caught Spiranac’s attention.

When asked if he demonstrated the shot himself, she smiled and replied, “He did. And it was perfect.”

Then came the comment, “I’ve said this so many times. He smells so good. I don’t know what cologne he wears, if it’s just his aura, his sweat, but he smells amazing.”

She added, “There’s something about Tiger Woods you can’t explain. It’s this factor, this charisma like he’s not human.”

Spiranac, who has grown a massive following as a golf personality, often uses her platform to share honest opinions and personal stories. While the two only met briefly, the moment clearly left a strong impression on Spiranac. She even joked in the past that after hugging Woods, she might never wash her jacket again.

Spiranac continues to use her voice to highlight unique and personal aspects of the golf world—whether it’s about dress codes, slow play, or simply how good Tiger Woods smells.

Tiger Woods’ nickname for Rory McIlroy showed just how much he was in his head

Rory McIlroy was once given a cheeky nickname by Tiger Woods during the height of their rivalry, summing up how dominant the American was at the time. After joining the PGA Tour in 2010, McIlroy quickly made his mark, securing six Tour victories and two major titles by the end of 2012.

It was during this period that Woods, the former world No. 1, gave the Northern Irishman a funny moniker. While gearing up for the TOUR Championship in 2012, McIlroy told journalists: “He’s (Tiger’s) got a new nickname for me, actually. He calls me The Intimidator”.

McIlroy went on to explain that his difficulty in competing against Woods was due to the American’s formidable presence, saying: “No. How can I intimidate Tiger Woods? I mean, the guy’s got 75 or whatever PGA Tour wins, 14 majors. He’s been the biggest thing ever in our sport.

“How could some little 23-year-old from Northern Ireland with a few wins come up and intimidate him. It’s just not possible. I don’t know where he got that from, but it’s not true.”

It seems that Woods might have been using a bit of reverse psychology on McIlroy back then, with his comments years later revealing his true thoughts on players feeling intimidated, reports the Mirror US. A 2018 video that went viral shows Woods jokingly chiding opponents who couldn’t face him head-on, indicating that it was their “****ing issue” if they felt daunted by his prowess and reputation.

In the footage, you can hear Woods say: “I can’t control you. The only thing I can control is me. If you get intimidated, that’s your own ****king issue.”

With an astounding tally of 82 PGA Tour wins as of 2025, including 15 major championships and an incredible total of 683 weeks at the top of the world rankings, it’s hardly shocking to find out that golfers past and present may feel slightly uneasy stepping onto the same course as Woods.

The nickname Woods allegedly gave McIlroy so long ago also hints at the 49-year-old’s conviction that the Northern Irishman shares the same determination for victory that he has sustained throughout his career – a perseverance clearly mirrored in the 36-year-old’s golfing triumphs.

Moving on to May 2025, McIlroy has marked a remarkable year on the PGA Tour. He’s raised his winning tally to 29, with standout performances earning him the trophy at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Players Championship, culminating in a stellar win at last month’s Masters at Augusta.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy
BELLEAIR, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 10: (L-R) Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Tiger Woods of the United States take part in the Bleacher Report Press Conference on the range prior to The Match 7 at Pelican Golf Club on December 10, 2022 in Belleair, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images for The Match)

This marks the first time McIlroy has triumphed at the tournament, securing the coveted Green Jacket to add to his collection of PGA Championships, US Open and Open Championship titles – completing the career Grand Slam. In doing so, he joins an elite club of just six men, including Woods, who have won all four majors, with Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus also members.

McIlroy’s victories stand in stark contrast to Woods’ recent career trajectory. The California-born star hasn’t competed on the Tour or in a major since last year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon. Currently 1,404th in the Official World Golf Rankings, Woods underwent back surgery in September, which kept him off the course for months.

The golfing icon was poised to make a comeback at the Genesis Invitational Open in February, but withdrew from the tournament following the death of his mother, Kultida. Further misfortune struck when Woods tore his Achilles tendon, leading to surgery in March, and he has been out of action ever since.

Tiger Woods, recovering from Achilles tendon injury, to miss Memorial Tournament

The most famous golfer in the world will miss the 2025 Memorial Tournament, largely because walking even 18 holes remains a challenge for Tiger Woods.

Woods, 49, is still recovering from the ruptured Achilles tendon injury he sustained in early March while training at home in Florida. He may not have played the Memorial anyway, because the 2021 single-car crash that severely injured his lower right leg makes it difficult to walk hilly courses like Muirfield Village Golf Club.

Tiger Woods has not played Memorial Tournament since 2020

Woods, a five-time winner of the Memorial, has not played the PGA Tour event hosted by Jack Nicklaus since 2020, when he shot his highest final-round score (76) out of the 16 Memorials in which he made the cut. He has not played a tour event since missing the cut at the 2024 British Open at Royal Troon.

The Achilles repair is the 11th surgery that we know of since Woods turned professional in 1996. Six of those surgeries involved his back and/or spine.

Woods is tied with Sam Snead on the tour’s career wins list with 82, and ranks second to Nicklaus (18) with 15 major championships. He becomes eligible to play the Champions Tour next year, when he turns 50, but has not said if or how many “senior” events he plans to play.

Tiger Woods announced his relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr, in March, but the pair has kept a low profile since then

More than two months have passed since Tiger Woods, the 15-time major champion, turned heads by taking to Instagram to announce his relationship with Vanessa Trump, best known as the former wife of Donald Trump Jr.

Since the golf icon’s post that captured over half a million likes from his robust fandom of 3.6 million on the gram, no more shared glimpses into their romance have surfaced – speaking volumes to their agreement of keeping public displays of affection under wraps.

Vanessa, boasting a modest fanbase of 80,000 on Instagram, primarily showcases her daughters, Chloe and the particularly admired Kai, honing their skills on the greens. Famed as the progeny of President Donald Trump, granddad trumpets about Kai’s burgeoning talent on the golf course.

Kai swims in the same social school circles as Charlie Woods, Tiger’s progeny, at Benjamin School located in Palm Beach County, Florida. They both tee off for their school’s respective golf squads.

Since letting the cat out of the bag regarding his personal life, Woods has shared updates a total of 16 times, with the bulk being co-promotions with other accounts, not excluding his own golf apparel line, Sunday Red.

Tiger Woods 

Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods announced his relationship with Vanessa Trump in March, and since then, the couple has aimed to keep their romance out of the public eye

Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump caught the attention of many, including those closest to them, when they announced their relationship in March

Woods, who is currently recovering from an Achilles injury that has ruled him out of PGA Tour action, went public with Vanessa via a statement on social media earlier this year. “Love is in the air, and life is better with you by my side!” Woods posted on X and Instagram.

“We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time, we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts,” he added, accompanied by two loved-up photos.

Vannessa had previously been married to the son of the President of the United States, Donald Trump Jr. Woods, too, is known to share a good relationship with the Trump family, having recently played golf with Donald Sr. and negotiating the PGA Tour’s ongoing peace talks with LIV Golf with the President.

In the wake of the relationship announcement, the Trump and Woods families had their say on Woods’ and Vanessa’s love interest.

Donald Trump Sr.

The President revealed at the end of March that the 82-time PGA Tour winner had contacted him about his relationship with his ex-daughter-in-law, and the Republican gave his blessing. “I love Tiger and I love Vanessa,” Trump declared at the White House

“Tiger actually called me a few months ago. I have a very special relationship with Tiger. He’s a fanatic guy. I said Tiger that’s good. I’m very happy for both… “They (Donald Jr. and Vanessa) had a great relationship.

“I happen to think the relationship with my son was hurt very badly with the witch hunt. ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’. All the c— they put Don through. Vanessa and Don have a great relationship. Five great children. They broke up quite a while ago, which to me was very sad.”

Donald Trump Jr.

Despite their past marriage, Trump Jr is seemingly happy with his ex-wife dating the 15-time major champion. In the wake of the romance going public, with a report from PEOPLE claiming that the son of the President is “cool” with Vanessa’s new love interest.

Don and Vanessa have five children together, including Kai Trump, who is looking to forge her own career in golf. Both Kai and Charlei Woods, the son of Tiger, recently competed in one of the most prestigious junior events in the sport at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.

Sam and Charlie Woods

Along with Charlie, Woods has a daughter named Sam, who is pursuing a career in soccer rather than on the golf course. Both Woods’ kids appear happy with their new stepmother, after a Daily Mail source claimed: “She likes the kids; they like her.”

Sam and Charlie’s mom, Elin Nordegren, split from the golfing great back in 2010, but the pair appear to share a mutual relationship amid their relationship with their kids. Providing an insight into Nordegren’s reaction to her ex-husband’s new relationship, the insider added: “There was really no reason for any drama with Elin

“It was more of a call, so she didn’t learn about it in the news. “Tiger knew it was going to get out eventually, so he had to make the phone call to Elin before his love life ended up in the newspapers again. He’s made this call before about other women – but never like this…

“Her response at first was like, ‘Seriously? A Trump? For real?’ She was more amused than anything. But she really quickly just accepted it.”

Tiger Woods’ Ex-Coach Shocks Golf World, Exposes Hybrid Controversy with Game-Changing Revelation

Renowned Golf Coach Hank Haney Drops Bombshell: Hybrids are Out, Fairway Woods are In!

In a shocking revelation, Hank Haney, the ex-coach of legendary golfer Tiger Woods, has stirred up the golfing world by denouncing the use of hybrids in favor of fairway woods. The golf guru shared his unfiltered opinion with fans on social media, causing a stir among golf enthusiasts worldwide.
During a candid exchange on his social media platform, Haney disclosed his preference for fairway woods over hybrids, a statement that left many fans perplexed. “I like fairway woods now over hybrids, it used to be the other way around,” Haney boldly declared, challenging conventional wisdom in the golf equipment realm.

In a separate development, Haney recently heaped praise on rising star Bryson DeChambeau for his stellar performance at the PGA Championship. Impressed by DeChambeau’s strategic prowess on the course, Haney lauded the two-time Major winner for his exceptional skills and work ethic. “Smart move to weaken his grip at the PGA, @brysondech is my favorite player to watch, all the greats work hard and he out works all the greats,” Haney remarked, highlighting DeChambeau’s dedication to his craft.

Tiger Woods

While DeChambeau’s performance at the PGA Championship garnered widespread acclaim, ultimately securing him a tie for second place, the tournament belonged to Scottie Scheffler, who clinched the coveted title. The leaderboard painted a picture of fierce competition and stellar gameplay, showcasing the immense talent within the professional golfing circuit.

As the golfing world awaits Tiger Woods’ highly anticipated return and continues to dissect Haney’s controversial equipment preferences, the stage is set for a captivating season filled with twists and turns on the green. Stay tuned for more updates as the drama unfolds in the world of golf.

Tiger Woods has his own rule on PGA Tour which no other player can access

Tiger Woods is one of the greatest golfers of all time and has been awarded certain privileges by the PGA Tour, including a ‘lifetime achievement exemption’

Legendary 15-time major champion Tiger Woods has been granted a unique exemption that no other golfer can claim. Despite being past his prime, he still enjoys the privilege of participating in certain events at his discretion.

Only Jack Nicklaus boasts more major championships than Woods. With his 82 PGA Tour victories, Woods is one of the most successful players in golf history, with his wins spanning three decades.

However, a series of injuries and surgeries have caused Woods to slide down the rankings, making it difficult for him to automatically qualify for top-tier tournaments. He recently missed the PGA Championship and urged fans not to be too ‘greedy’ watching on from home.

This led to the PGA Tour striking a deal allowing the 49-year-old unrestricted access to its eight signature events. These competitions have limited slots and offer significantly higher prize money than most others.

The world’s best golfers are drawn to these events, but the PGA Tour acknowledges Woods’ unique appeal to fans. The board passed a rule establishing a ‘lifetime achievement exemption category’ for active players with over 80 career titles.

Woods now has the option to participate in these signature events for the remainder of his career. He has been playing on a limited schedule for several years and last competed at the Genesis Invitational in 2024.

An Achilles surgery is expected to sideline Woods for most of the season. Adam Scott, a former rival, recently shared insights into the strategies Woods would use to ruthlessly assert his superiority over other players.

“Yeah, I played a bunch with him in practice rounds and stuff. I played a practice round with him that week of The Open at St Andrews in 2000. It was nuts, I was 19,” Scott shared with YouTuber Grant Horvat.

Tiger Woods 

“Every area of his game was better than everyone else’s. Even his short game was like Phil Mickelson-esque. And then that ran across the board: driving, irons, putting, everything.

“But then, everything that went on around, the ‘Tiger Mania’ it was called back then, it was just so much. It was so new to golf, or at least [to] me at that point. I just don’t think we’d seen anything like that. It was wild to be around.

“[If you were a threat to him] he would just play games with you [in practice rounds]. He’d hit the wrong club. He’d challenge you.

“You’d hit a good shot and he’s like, ‘But can you draw it and hold it up against the wind like that?’ And you can’t. Just to make you feel inferior. He was a gamesman, he was the ultimate competitor.”

Scottie Scheffler secured the third major title of his career last week after winning the PGA Championship, resulting in the world No. 1 being compared to Tiger Woods

Thanks to his dominance, Scheffler’s name began to be placed alongside the 15-time major champion Woods. The latest to make a comparison is former world No. 1 Els, who is looking for more major success this week at the Senior PGA Championship, where LIV Golf star Richard Bland will defend his crown.

“I see the similarities now with Scheffler [and Woods],” Els said at Congressional. “Seems like he plays his best golf under the most extreme pressure, and that’s a hallmark of a champion. There’s more confidence that he’s getting by winning these tournaments.

“It’s only going to get tougher for the group following to try and get into that kind of mindset that he’s in. I think Tiger brought that intensity. You had your work cut out for you. I won four majors in his era, and there were a lot of other guys who won majors in that era.

“We never got to the six, seven, eight. Mickelson did eventually; he got to six majors. But he had a hold on us. You knew you were in for a tough tournament when he was around, and I think that’s happening now with Scheffler.” Scheffler’s achievements are all the more impressive amid the current crop of players.

Scottie Scheffler and Tiger Woods
NASSAU, BAHAMAS – DECEMBER 03: Scottie Scheffler of The United States is presented with the Hero World Challenge Trophy by tournament host Tiger Woods of The United States after his win in the final round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Course on December 03, 2023 in Nassau, . (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

The FedEx Cup champion has pulled away from the likes of Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele at the top of the rankings, especially after his incredible 2024 season. One of his key highlights came when winning The Players Championship for a second-straight year at TPC Sawgrass last March.

Having won the PGA Tour’s flagship event, Scheffler’s name was once again put up with Woods’. As humble as ever, though, Scheffler played the comparisons down. “Anytime you can be compared to Tiger, I think it’s really special, but I mean, the guy stands alone, I think, in our game. He really does”, he said.

“This is my eighth tournament win now out here, and I’ve tied him in Players Championships. Outside of that, I got 14 more majors and 70-some PGA Tour events to catch up. I think I’m going to stick to my routine and just continue to plot along, try and stay as even-keeled as I can.

“We all idolise Tiger. He’s been our guy. Watching what he did in special moments over the years is crazy to watch. I’ve learned a lot just from being around him. We’re just very thankful that he’s still a part of our sport.”