Rory McIlroy vs Jon Rahm
5 Majors vs 2 — Current Generation Rivalry
Quick Stats Comparison
| Statistic | Rory McIlroy | Jon Rahm |
|---|---|---|
| Total Major Wins | 5 | 2 |
| Masters | ✅ 2025 | ✅ 2023 |
| U.S. Open | ✅ 2011 | ✅ 2021 |
| The Open Championship | ✅ 2014 | ❌ (T2 in 2023) |
| PGA Championship | ✅ 2012, 2014 | ❌ |
| Career Grand Slam | ✅ Completed 2025 | ❌ (needs Open + PGA) |
| World #1 Weeks | 100+ | 52 |
| Current Tour | PGA Tour / DP World Tour | LIV Golf |
Major Championship Breakdown
Rory McIlroy (5)
Jon Rahm (2)
Career Highlights
Rory McIlroy
- U.S. Open 2011: Record 16-under at Congressional, won by 8 shots at age 22
- PGA Championship 2012: 13-under at Kiawah Island, dominant 8-shot win
- The Open 2014 & PGA 2014: Two majors in one year — back-to-back major champion
- Masters 2025: Completed Career Grand Slam in playoff vs Justin Rose
- 100+ weeks at world #1 across multiple stints
- Best ball-striker of his generation on the PGA Tour
Jon Rahm
- U.S. Open 2021: First Spanish golfer to win the U.S. Open, at Torrey Pines
- Masters 2023: Won at Augusta with a dominant wire-to-wire performance
- Held world #1 ranking for 52 weeks total
- Arizona State product — best collegiate golfer of his era
- Joined LIV Golf in December 2023
- 2023 Open Championship runner-up — missed out on The Open
The LIV Golf Factor
Jon Rahm's decision to join LIV Golf in December 2023 fundamentally changed the trajectory of this rivalry. While LIV players remain eligible for all four major championships, Rahm no longer competes in weekly PGA Tour or DP World Tour events, limiting the regular head-to-head competition that rivalries are built on.
Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, remained one of the most visible voices against LIV Golf and in support of the PGA Tour. He then went on to win the 2025 Masters and complete the Career Grand Slam — creating a stark divergence in their career arcs.
At the majors, Rahm can still add to his total. He needs The Open Championship and PGA Championship to complete his own Career Grand Slam. Whether he can do so competing from LIV Golf's reduced schedule remains the central question of his career.
The Verdict
Rory McIlroy leads this comparison decisively — 5 majors to 2, Career Grand Slam completed, and still competing at the highest level on the PGA Tour. Rahm has been one of the world's best players and his 2 majors are genuine achievements, but McIlroy's trajectory puts him in a different class for this era.
Rahm at his peak (2021–2023) was arguably the best player in the world. His move to LIV Golf and Rory's 2025 Masters victory cemented Rory as the clear winner of this current-generation showdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has more major wins, Rory or Rahm?
Rory McIlroy leads 5-2. McIlroy won the 2011 U.S. Open, 2012 and 2014 PGA Championships, 2014 Open Championship, and the 2025 Masters. Rahm has the 2021 U.S. Open and 2023 Masters.
Can Jon Rahm still win more majors on LIV Golf?
Yes — LIV Golf players are eligible for all four major championships. Rahm can and will compete at the Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship. However, without the full tour schedule, he may have fewer warm-up tournaments heading into majors.
What is Rahm's nationality?
Jon Rahm is Spanish, born in Barrika, Biscay, Spain. He was the first Spanish golfer to win the U.S. Open (2021) and is one of the most successful European golfers of his generation.