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. “I’m going to sign it extra high so Scottie has extra space underneath me,” McIlroy said, a subtle yet pointed endorsement of the U.S. Open champion’s trajectory. Scheffler, along with Spieth and Mickelson, still needs one major victory to complete golf’s most prestigious career milestone.

The scorecard Rory McIlroy signed 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, who joined this elite club in April with his dramatic Masters victory over Justin Rose, became the sixth name to grace the artifact. An auction expert estimates the item’s value at $50,000 or more, emphasizing its rarity and historical significance.

Raymond has been curating the 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. Golf experts see McIlroy’s gesture as more than symbolic. By leaving space for Scheffler, McIlroy subtly predicts the next star poised to achieve one of golf’s highest honors.

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 US 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. They often play practice rounds together, swap swing notes, and exchange compliments in interviews.

McIlroy has praised Scheffler’s calm presence and steady scoring as qualities every pro would love to copy. That closeness gives Rory a front-row view of the work ethic and consistency that separate Scheffler from the rest. Statistics reinforce the praise. Scheffler has collected multiple 2025 major titles, including the PGA Championship and The Open Chamnpionship, while leading the PGA Tour in strokes gained and top-10 finishes.

On the other hand, even Mr. Inevitable has great respect for the Grand Slam achiever. After McIlroy’s awarding of the green jacket, which was done by Scheffler himself, the world no.1 was really happy for his rival. He talks of Mcilroy ina n incredible amoutn of respect right after, “The guy has won FedExCup, The Players, all four majors. Maybe the only other thing would be the Olympics he would want to win.” And he is really not far away from the truth.

Even during the BMW Championship, after the second round, Scheffler remarked how its always fuin to play with Rory and that he always has a good time with him on the coursse.

Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson face steeper climbs. Spieth still needs a PGA Championship but 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. McIlroy clearly sees the gap: Scheffler’s trajectory is upward now, while the others chase past peaks.

That perspective gives McIlroy’s endorsement real weight. He knows the grind of majors and the mental toll of chasing history. If he believes Scheffler will be the next signature on that Grand Slam scorecard, it’s because he’s measured the field up close; and sees Scottie standing tallest.