Rory McIlroy was fighting one of the closest title races of his career in 2025. And yet, the moment that says the most about him didn’t happen on a leaderboard. It happened in the gym. 

McIlroy appeared on Boston Common Golf, and when asked what music gets him going before a round. McIlroy was quick to answer. "Recently I've been into a lot of Rüfüs Du Sol."

And when the producer pointed out McIlroy's rival, Marco Penge, had the same pick, the Northern Irish golfer had a story.

“We were sort of DJing in the gym. Taking turns. I liked what he was playing.”

Week after week, Penge matched Rory shot for shot, turning the season into a real fight. Rory won in the end, but only just. While Penge was breathing down his neck in the Race to Dubai, the two still bonded outside the golf course.

It's easy to have rivalries spill out into the world outside golf. But in Rory and Marco's case, that didn't happen. It's no surprise. Fans have seen this happen before when Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus shared the stage.

In Rory McIlroy's case, it's not the first time. When Justin Thomas went against McIlroy at the Ryder Cup, they battled it out on the course. But that didn't keep Thomas from admiring McIlroy.

"Yeah, we played each other in the Ryder Cup and, yeah, we hated each other for 18 holes. Again, it's nothing personal. It's not a dislike as a person... Rory is a great example. I love Rory. We get along extremely well. He's been a role model of mine. He was super nice to me when I was first starting up. He still is. We see each other a bunch."

Rory McIlroy had the same effect on Penge

McIlroy and Penge have shared a light-hearted bond outside golf. Penge even expressed admiration for the veteran back in November.

"I’m just approaching the week, watching Rory play golf, making the most of that experience. Learning from him like I did last week in the first two rounds. He’s got more experience than me, and he’s world No. 2 right now. I’ll be just be in his shadow, I suppose, and trying to follow him around the golf course."

And just a few days before Penge's comments, McIlroy bantered with his rival when asked about who could farther. "I don't know. He should be longer. He's nine years younger than me."

Written by

Dolly Bhamrick

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar