Which golf pros could get a game in Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry’s fantasy rugby team?
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Rory McIlroy could play ‘a little scrum half’ joked Shane Lowry ahead of Ireland’s quarter-final clash with South Africa at the Rugby World Cup.
Power, pace, precision. Brains, brawn, brutality. A world-class rugby team has it all, balanced across 15 players of varying shapes and skill sets.
It’s not a bunch different from the composition of a Ryder Cup team in that respect.
In the words of Liam Neeson, ‘each member brings a very particular set of skills’ to the team, some a natural byproduct of chromosomal inheritance, others honed via years of movement repetition, and some simply inherent – a gift from the sporting gods.
And while the increasing physicality of both sports at an elite level continues to shape issues surrounding governance, for now at least, the day’s MVP does not conform to any one physical stereotype.
Often, what differentiates the best from the rest is far more subtle, as South Africa’s all-time leading try scorer once told me when describing how he drew on golf’s strengths as a tool to continually improve his rugby during his pomp.
“It’s a great release and chance to switch off, but it also has this teaching ability. When I was going through a bad patch, golf provided that outlet, but also an opportunity for me to see how I could get better and develop tools that allowed me to change strategy and do things differently.
“For example, after you’ve hit a bad shot, how can you mentally rectify that and make the next shot better? It’s also a key ability in rugby, that ‘next job mentality’ that allows you to get over the frustration of an error and focus on the next task. As Ted Lasso says, ‘The best sportspeople are like goldfish’.”
Golf in 2025 continues to ride a surging participation wave, bringing with it an ever-increasing number of sports pros, scrambling to the fairways on rest days, desperate to claim bragging rights for the week.
All Black GOAT Dan Carter, English World Cup winner Mike Tindall, and Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll are just a few of rugby’s greats who can piece together a tidy scorecard.
But what if the tables were turned for one fine day in a fantasy calendar of ‘sports they didn’t play’. Which pro golfers could switch out their spikes for a set of studs and do a job on the rugby paddock?
“I’ll run the water or bring out the kicking tee. Maybe be head of entertainment,” said Lowry, before throwing the number nine shirt the way of his Emerald Islander.
Sorry, Shane, you’re not getting away with that.
So, let’s find out who joins them in our starting 15. And to help us narrow down the contenders, we have only considered major winners who are currently playing competitively (ish)…
Today’s Golfer RFU: Fantasy Rugby Team
15. Fullback – Tiger Woods
Let’s start where we mean to go on and get the GOAT straight in there. He loves to remind us on his clobber how many majors he has won, so a massive No.15 on his back should keep him happy.
A reliable set of hands under the high-ball and defensively astute. He’s a play ahead in kicking exchanges and covers the backfield with ease, marshaling his backline in front of him. A prolific finisher who slots effortlessly into attack with the ability to create something from nothing. Will probably end up playing a few seasons longer than he should in a broken body.
14. Right Wing – Hideki Matsuyama
It wouldn’t feel right to not have a Brave Blossom feature in our backline. Renowned for their attacking prowess and exciting brand of rugby, Japan has caused many an upset on the world stage.
The Masters and Open champion knows his way to the try-line and once he’s built up a head of stream, no one’s going to stop him from crossing the whitewash. He loves a record and will likely finish as the team’s leading try scorer.
13. Outside Center – Brooks Koepka
He’s probably never heard of rugby, but LIV’s most prolific winner leads the defense from outside center in our team.
He has the work ethic to make those last-ditch tackles in the outside channel and runs some beautiful support lines to carve open defenses and feed the likes of Matsuyama some easy finishes.
12. Inside Center – Bryson DeChambeau
Who else. The Crusher’s GC star is the perfect fit in the mid-field, carrying up the guts for the full 80, barking orders, setting standards, and forever tinkering with new set plays.
The bigger the occasion, the bigger Bryson’s performance. A dominant defender who doesn’t take a step backward and possesses a boot to get the team out of trouble when required. Also has Big Don’s ear to help to align rugby’s world calendar once he’s done brokering the PGA-LIV merger.
11. Left Wing – Xander Schauffele
You can’t ignore form, which is why 2024’s two-time major winner has to start. There’s nothing he can’t do and punches well above his weight.
Xander has the license to roam, sniff around rucks, and get himself on the ball as much as possible. It’s just as well really given that his knowledge of the rules is likely highly questionable.
10. Fly Half – Scottie Scheffler
The quarterback of the team. The man running the show. Chief distributor and key decision maker. The dominant force in the men’s game who tops the season-ending statistics year after year simply has to wear the iconic No.10 jersey.
Never looks rushed on the ball and seemingly always makes the right decision of when to kick and when to pass. The deadliest goal kicker off the tee in the game, he doesn’t miss. Occasionally prone to a high tackle which lands him in trouble with authorities.
9. Scrum Half – Rory McIlroy
We agree with Shane – Rory has to play nine. He has the all-court game and when he’s on, he’s on. Perhaps the most talented player on the pitch, the more touches of the ball the better for the playmaker. Unplayable on his day.
Small but robust, he makes and breaks tackles with his deceptive power. A leader on the pitch, not shy to boss the bigger boys around, and doesn’t beat around the bush in post-match interviews. Le Petit General.
8. No.8 – Ernie Els (Captain)
A South African named at No.8…who’d have thought it. The four-time major winner goes about his business on the pitch in the same way he approached his golf. Calmness personified. A natural leader and captain who has the ear of the ref.
The Big Easy is all about timing, choosing selectively when to pick and go from the base of a scrum or ruck. Happy to chill in the backfield and wait for a loose kick to come down his channel which he runs back with a vengeance.
7. Openside Flanker – Sergio Garcia
The ultimate jackler. The fiery Spaniard is a nuisance throughout the match, slowing ball down, winning turnovers, and chopping down giants.
He’s not afraid of putting his head in the spokes and his body on the line for his teammates. An incredible work ethic around the park, often straying on the wrong side of the law. Fires up the team pre-match and at half-time.
6. Blindside Flanker – Jon Rahm
“He’s a big lad, probably 110 kilos. He could get a game,” said McIlroy.
That’s good enough for us then. Exactly what we need from a six. A big, powerful ball carrier who gets across the gain-line, and a lump in defence. Tall and athletic enough to provide another line-out option. Happy to be seen as ‘the bad guy’ if the match fee is right.
5. Second Row – Vijay Singh
We can’t name a world rugby XV without including some Fijian flair. The Masters and PGA Champion adds a good bit of bulk in the row but don’t be fooled in thinking he’s a one-trick pony…he also possesses an ability to offload in the tackle like no other.
The team’s veteran is the mastermind behind the line-out, a disruptor at the maul, and will empty the tank every match, which now barely gets him through to halftime.
4. Second Row – Dustin Johnson
Packing down in the row with Vijay is DJ…obviously. At 6”4’, the 4Aces GC frontman is a formidable line-out operator, stealing multiple turnovers every match.
Industrious and focused, he avoids getting caught up in handbags at dawn and is known for stretching defenses by popping up in wide channels.
3. Tighthead Prop – John Daly (Social Sec)
Could it be anyone else? Golf’s very own ‘Fun Bus’ is here to do one job, and one job only. Push.
Providing stability at scrum time is the remit and we think it’s unlikely Wild Thing will take a backward step. If he can make a couple of tackles and hit the odd ruck, then great, otherwise just lock down that scrum John. Oh, and don’t forget the beers, cigars, and chocolate milkshakes for the changing room.
2. Hooker – Phil Mickelson
A set piece specialist, our six-time major winner is a very useful operator. He has the best hands in the game, with his line-out darts always finding their target.
While he’s actually right-handed, Mickelson’s ambidextrous nature allows him to hook the ball back with his left foot, beating his opposite number to the strike. Has to be reminded he can’t bet on the match though.
1. Openside Prop – Shane Lowry
The Irishman completes our starting XV and a very entertaining front row. He holds his own at scrum time too, but unlike Daly offers a lot more around the park.
He’s a double-digit tackler, ruck-hitting, pick-and-go specialist who has the hands to link up attacking plays. A great engine too, often sees out the full 80.
So, there you have it. Our fantasy rugby team of golf major winners that you didn’t ask for!
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Which pro golfers could get a game in our fantasy rugby team?
