Golf’s Biggest Résumé Gaps

Golf has recently reached a significant turning point. The era defined by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, which transformed golf from a casual pastime into a cool, mainstream sport, has come to an end. A new generation of stars has now emerged. Players like Dustin Johnson have dominated and then gradually faded from the spotlight, while younger talents are beginning to make their mark.

Notable Gaps in Top Golfers’ Résumés

It's a fitting moment to consider what key achievements the leading golfers are yet to secure, which would greatly enhance their legacies. For example, Rory McIlroy, despite having won an Open Championship, still has notable gaps. Given his near-record 62 at the Old Course during his first Open and his strong performance the last time the Open was held there, many see an Open win at that venue as a crucial missing element.

Should Rory capture the Open title again in 2027, it would firmly seal his place among golf’s all-time elite and elevate him into the top five golfers ever. His rise coincided with Tiger Woods' decline, and Rory's continued improvement with age makes this achievement even more meaningful.

Scottie Scheffler’s Challenge

Scottie Scheffler’s breakout 2025 season clarified his strengths, but before that year, his main criticism centered on his limited success outside the Masters tournament in major championships.

“The knock, if such a thing existed, with Scottie before the start of this season was his lack of success in the non-Masters majors.”

Summary

Golf has transitioned from the Woods-Mickelson era to a fresh wave of talent, but some of today's top players still have signature victories missing that would solidify their place in the sport’s history.

Author’s summary: As golf moves beyond its transformative era, top players like McIlroy and Scheffler face pivotal achievements that will define their legacies and shape the future of the sport.

Skratch Golf — 2025-11-05