The first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink delivered plenty of drama, but it was Jon Rahm's candid take on his two biggest rivals that really stole the spotlight. After firing a solid one-under 69 on Thursday, the two-time major champion didn't hold back when discussing Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler—the two players who have dominated golf's headlines in recent years.

McIlroy, fresh off successfully defending his Masters title, and Scheffler, who added the 2025 Open Championship and PGA Championship to his resume, have set an incredibly high bar. Scheffler currently sits atop the world rankings, with McIlroy right behind him in second—a position the Northern Irishman knows well from his own time at number one.

Rahm, who has also reached the summit of the rankings, was asked about the contrasting personalities of the two stars. Specifically, he was told how McIlroy often reflects on his place in golf history, while Scheffler remains famously grounded. The Spaniard's response was both insightful and revealing.

"I think I need to accomplish a lot more to even think about it," Rahm admitted. "It makes sense why Rory would think about it—he's second on Europe's all-time major list, the first to complete the Grand Slam. I'd already call him the greatest European to ever play. In the grand scheme, he's not far from being an undisputed top-10 player of all time, and he still has plenty of years ahead. Jack won at 46, Phil in his 50s—Rory's got at least 10 or 15 good years left given his fitness."

Then came Rahm's praise for Scheffler, whose quiet dominance has become his trademark. "Scottie, kudos to him. To accomplish so much and never change who he is? That's impressive. I'd credit a lot of his success to that down-to-earth mindset. He's a fantastic golfer, obviously, but his humility is what sets him apart."

For golf fans, this kind of respect between the game's elite is a reminder of what makes the sport special. Whether you're team McIlroy, team Scheffler, or rooting for Rahm's resurgence, one thing's clear: the competition at the top has never been more compelling.