Rory McIlroy: Play With People Better Than You
The four-time Major winner was asked about advice for junior golfers

The four-time Major winner was asked about advice for junior golfers
Rory McIlroy: Play With People Better Than You
Earlier this week in China, defending WGC-HSBC Champion Xander Schauffele gave a clinic to junior golfers and told them to play with players better than them.
Rory McIlroy was then asked about Schauffele's advice and mirrored the American's words, with his own take on things about how he used to play with his caddie Harry Diamond who was better than him.
Rory, as always, gave an honest and candid response that made for fascinating listening.
Junior golfers wanting to improve - listen to McIlroy's advice...
"I think for me, I was always the youngest to play, whether it be at my home golf club or in competitions," McIlroy said in China about his development as a junior.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"So I was always playing with people that were better than me, and I think that -- even my caddie now, Harry, he's basically five years older than me, and he was a very good player, and I always played with him.
"So Harry was always better than me growing up as a kid, but that made me a better player because I saw what level I needed to get to.
"I don't think you necessarily, you know, you don't have to not like the person that you're playing with, but I think it's a wonderful piece of advice to find people that are better than you and to play with them, because it shows you what you need to do to get to that next level."
Watch - Rory McIlroy: Play With People Better Than You
Related: McIlroy aiming to close gap on World No.1 Brooks Koepka
McIlroy has won three times in 2019 at the Players Championship, Canadian Open and Tour Championship.
He is currently 2nd in the world.
For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels @golfmonthlymagazine on Facebook and @golfmonthly on Twitter and Instagram
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
PGA Tour 2K25 vs EA Sports PGA Tour: Read Our Head-To-Head Verdict
Following the release of PGA Tour 2K25 from 2K Sports, have EA Sports lost their spot as the best golf game developers? We put both games heat to head to find out.
By Conor Keenan Published
-
Should PGA Tour Signature Events Have Sponsor Invites?
Should the lucrative, limited field PGA Tour Signature Events allow sponsor exemptions? The Golf Monthly news team have their say
By Paul Higham Published
-
What Is Rory McIlroy's Masters Record?
The Northern Irishman is yet to win the first Major of the season, but he has come close on a couple of occasions - here is McIlroy's Masters record in full...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How Many Times Has Rory McIlroy Made A Hole-In-One In His Career?
The Northern Irishman has claimed multiple victories and countless awards during a professional career that began in 2007, but how many aces has he made?
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
What Are Xander Schauffele's Stock Yardages?
The American enjoyed a phenomenal 2024, picking up two Major scalps in the process. Here, we take a look at how far he hits every club in the bag
By Matt Cradock Published
-
9 Big Name Golfers Who Didn’t Go To College
Not every player who makes it in the professional game had the benefit of a college golf career - here are nine of the biggest names who made their names without taking that route
By Mike Hall Published
-
What Is Rory McIlroy's Open Championship Record?
We take a closer look at the Northern Irishman's results in golf's oldest Major Championship
By Michael Weston Published
-
‘He Is Too Good To Be Remembered As A Choker' - Golf Monthly Writers On Whether Rory McIlroy Can Bounce Back From Latest Major Heartbreak
Following McIlroy's US Open disappointment at Pinehurst No.2 on Sunday, some of the Golf Monthly team discuss what is likely to happen to him next...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
What Shoes Is Rory McIlroy Wearing At The Players Championship?
The Northern Irishman was spotted wearing some special edition shoes for the tournament but what are they? We explain all here.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Xander Schauffele What's In The Bag? 2024 Update
The clubs used by America's Xander Schauffele, a member of Team Callaway who has one or two other brands in the bag
By Michael Weston Published