Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler may be rivals on the leaderboard, but when it comes to golf’s most exclusive pursuit—the career Grand Slam—McIlroy seems to know where the story is heading. Their battles have defined recent majors, with Scheffler’s consistency often casting a shadow over McIlroy’s own highs and heartbreaks. Yet McIlroy’s recent gesture flipped the script and offered a new look into their dynamic.

During a recent signing of one of golf’s most exclusive collectibles, the Northern Irishman left deliberate space below his signature on a rare Augusta National scorecard, signaling that he believes Scottie Scheffler is poised to be the next golfer to join the career Grand Slam club, ahead of Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson. The scorecard is no ordinary piece of memorabilia. Owned by collector Dustin Raymond, it already bore the signatures of legendary career Grand Slam winners, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.

McIlroy joined this elite club in April with his dramatic Masters victory over Justin Rose. An auction expert estimates the item’s value at $50,000 or more, emphasizing its rarity and historical significance. “I’m going to sign it extra high so Scottie has extra space underneath me,” the Ulsterman said, a subtle yet pointed endorsement of the reigning Open champion’s trajectory.

Scheffler, along with Spieth and Mickelson, still needs one major victory to complete golf’s most prestigious career milestone. But McIlroy clearly believes the current World No.1 will join the elite club quicker than the rest. And quite reasonably so. Spieth hasn’t matched Scheffler’s week-in, week-out dominance in recent seasons. Mickelson’s missing U.S. Open seems further out of reach as age and limited starts reduce his opportunities. So, the Northern Irishman believes the next signature on this famous scorecard will be of none other than Scheffler’s.

It should be noted that Raymond has been curating this scorecard for over 30 years. He originally purchased it for $1,500 from a friend who had collected the signatures of Sarazen, Hogan, and Player. Over time, he added Nicklaus, then Woods, and finally, McIlroy, ensuring the piece remained a living record of golf history. “I’m not in the market to sell it,” Raymond said. “I’ll keep it tucked away in a safe place until the next golfer earns his spot in the Grand Slam club.”

The encounter took place during a practice round at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta on August 20. McIlroy, walking alongside Raymond, was immediately struck by the card’s significance. “Man, if that’s for sale, I’m your buyer. I haven’t seen anything like this at all. That’s the first thing I’ve ever seen that has those names on it altogether,” Raymond recalled McIlroy saying.

Ryan Carey, founder of Golden Age Auctions, noted, “At auction, this would sell for at least $50,000. What makes it remarkable is the combination of historical and contemporary signatures in one piece.” As the modern Grand Slam contenders continue their careers, McIlroy’s endorsement positions Scheffler as the player to watch. Mickelson still chases the U.S. Open, Spieth seeks the PGA Championship, and Scheffler needs the U.S. Open.

Rory McIlroy’s quip about leaving extra space for Scheffler wasn’t just a throwaway line. It hinted at a deeper respect and an inside view of a rivalry that has shaped the modern PGA Tour.

The Rory McIlroy-Scottie Scheffler dynamic

McIlroy has said repeatedly this year that Scheffler is “the bar we’re all trying to reach,” a sentiment he shared again after The Open Championship 2025 at Royal Portrush, where Scheffler claimed another major. The two stars share a competitive but friendly rivalry. McIlroy has praised Scheffler’s calm presence and steady scoring as qualities every pro would love to copy.

Numbers back that sentiment. Scheffler has won the 2025 PGA Championship and the 2025 Open Championship, while leading the PGA Tour in strokes gained and top-10 finishes. On the other hand, even the World No.1 has great respect for the Grand Slammer. After McIlroy won the Masters, Scheffler said, “The guy has won FedExCup, The Players, all four majors. Maybe the only other thing would be the Olympics he would want to win.” 

Interestingly, at the BMW Championship, these two were paired together. Afterward, Scheffler remarked how it’s always fun to play with McIlroy and that he always has a good time with him on the course. McIlroy’s latest gesture only reinforces that mutual respect despite the on-course rivalry. He knows the grind of majors and the mental toll of chasing history. If he believes Scheffler will be the next one to sign on that Grand Slam scorecard, it’s because he’s measured the field up close and sees Scottie standing tallest.