Rory McIlroy’s historic win at the 2025 Masters Tournament has cemented his place among golf’s all-time greats. The Northern Irishman demonstrated remarkable resilience in the final round to overcome two double bogeys and three bogeys to force a playoff with Justin Rose. McIlroy’s nerves of steel ultimately paid off, as he birdied the playoff hole to claim the Green Jacket and complete the career Grand Slam.
This achievement puts McIlroy in an elite group of six golfers, including legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, who have won all four modern major championships. McIlroy’s victory marks a new chapter in his career, solidifying his position as one of the greatest golfers ever.
With the victory, McIlory becomes the first player to achieve the career Grand Slam since Tiger Woods in 2000 and the first European to join this exclusive list. He joins the ranks of legends like Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods, and his statistics, records, and wins all support McIlroy’s position among the top golfers in history. He may even be considered the greatest European golfer of all time. But where does he rank among the all-time greats?
In this article, we’ll analyze McIlroy’s career, achievements, and how he compares to other legends in the game.
Comparison with other Career Grand Slam Winners
Rory McIlroy’s dramatic playoff victory over Justin Rose at the 2025 Masters was a historic moment in his career. Not only did he win his first Green Jacket, but he also ended a major championship drought that stretched back to 2014. This win marked a significant milestone, as McIlroy captured titles at all four major championships – the Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.
The career Grand Slam is a rare feat, with some crediting Bobby Jones with a similar achievement given his wins in the Amateur Championship, which was held in Britain before the Masters existed. However, in the modern era, only six golfers have completed the “professional” career Grand Slam.
After not playing in the inaugural Masters, Gene Sarazen won it in 1935 and became the first person to complete what is now considered the career Grand Slam. This achievement marked a significant milestone in his illustrious career, although it might have come sooner if all four tournaments had existed earlier in his career. Sarazen’s illustrious career began in 1922 when he won the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship at just 20. He added another PGA Championship in 1923 and completed the trifecta of major championships by winning the U.S. Open and The Open in 1932. Ben Hogan joined Sarazen 18 years later, doubling the exclusive club of golfers to have achieved the feat.
He captured his first major at the 1946 PGA Championship, followed by his first U.S. Open victory in 1948, and donned his first Green Jacket in 1951. However, it was his 1953 season that is regarded as one of the finest in golf history, where he won the Masters, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship, completing the final leg of his career Grand Slam.
Interestingly, Hogan came close to achieving the calendar Grand Slam in the 1953 season, but The Open Championship and the PGA Championship were held concurrently that year, making it impossible to win all four majors in the same year. Despite this, Hogan’s achievements cemented his position as one of the greatest golfers ever.
Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were the next two players to join the exclusive club of golfers to have achieved the career Grand Slam. The two golfing greats frequently battled against each other throughout their careers, pushing each other to new heights. Player completed his career Grand Slam at the 1965 Open Championship, his only win at The Open.
Nicklaus followed suit one year later, concluding his effort at The Open in 1966. Notably, Nicklaus went on to win The Open twice more, in 1970 and 1978. He is one of only two players to have achieved the career Grand Slam multiple times, a testament to his enduring legacy in the sport.
Tiger Woods joined this elite group in 2000, completing his first career Grand Slam at The Open that year. This achievement was part of his remarkable “Tiger Slam” run, during which he held all four major championships simultaneously, concluding with the 2001 Masters. Woods is the other player, alongside
Nicklaus, to have achieved the career Grand Slam more than once, further cementing his status as one of the greatest golfers ever.
Rory McIlroy’s Remarkable Achievements
Rory McIlroy burst onto the golfing scene with a bang, claiming his first DP World Tour title in 2009 at just 19 years old. He quickly followed this up with a stunning victory at the 2011 U.S. Open, bouncing back from disappointment at The Masters earlier that year. McIlroy’s momentum continued, winning three more majors over the next three seasons, including the PGA Championship twice and The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in 2014.
Over the next decade, McIlroy consistently performed well in majors, recording 21 top-10 finishes without adding to his major tally. Currently ranked World No. 2, McIlroy is the only three-time winner of the FedExCup and has been a regular presence in the top 10 of the world rankings for over 15 years. His impressive career earnings include becoming the youngest player to reach $10m in earnings on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, achieving the latter in 2012. McIlroy’s recent tied-fifth finish at the Texas Children’s Houston Open marked another milestone, as he became just the second player to pass $100m in career prize money on the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy’s résumé is truly remarkable. At just 35 years old, he has won an impressive five major championships: the 2011 U.S. Open, the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championships, the 2014 OpenChampionship, and now the 2025 Masters. His victory at the 2025 Masters was the 29th of his PGA Tour career, propelling him into the top 20 all-time wins on Tour.
McIlroy’s major-winning career began in 2011 at the U.S. Open, where he dominated the competition, winning by eight strokes at the age of 22. That week, he set 11 U.S. Open records, including the lowest total 72-hole score (268) and the lowest total under par (16-under par). Remarkably, he still holds these records today, sharing the latter with fellow five-time major champion and friend Brooks Koepka. McIlroy is tied for 17th all-time in PGA Tour wins.
The Northern Irishman is also the only European to have won the modern career Grand Slam, a feat that eludes legends like Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, and even Arnold Palmer. This accomplishment showcases his remarkable skill and dedication to the sport.
McIlroy’s impressive résumé includes over 100 weeks as the world’s top-ranked golfer and 29 PGA Tour event wins, which puts him tied for 17th all-time. Only 16 golfers have more PGA Tour victories than McIlroy, including golfing greats like Tiger Woods, Sam Snead, and Jack Nicklaus. Despite this, McIlroy holds the record for the most European PGA Tour wins in history.
How McIlroy Compares To Other Golf Greats
Rory McIlroy’s rise to golfing stardom began with his first European win at the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic. He then claimed his first U.S. victory in 2010 at the Wells Fargo Championship, where he smashed the course record with a one-round score of 62. McIlroy’s momentum continued at the 2011 Masters Tournament, where he was outstanding for the first three rounds, holding a four-shot lead.
However, disaster struck in the final round when McIlroy shot an 80, the worst round ever recorded by a leader after three rounds at the Masters. This collapse left him tied for 15th place. Undeterred, McIlroy bounced back two months later, capturing his first major with a dominant eight-shot victory at the 2011 U.S. Open. McIlroy’s success continued in 2012 when he won his second major at the PGA Championship. Here’s how he compares with some of golf’s greats.
Jack Nicklaus, known as the “Golden Bear” is among the greatest golfers ever. He has set a high standard for excellence with 73 PGA Tour wins and a record 18 Major Championships. Nicklaus’ 73 top-10 finishes and 56 top-5 finishes showcase his consistency.
Many compare Tiger Woods to Nicklaus, and for good reason. Woods has won 15 Major Championships and 82 PGA Tour wins, matching Sam Snead’s record. Woods has earned 11 PGA “Player of the Year” awards and has modernized golf, drawing in major advertisers and becoming one of the world’s wealthiest athletes. His achievements inspire new generations of golfers, and he is widely regarded as the greatest golfer in modern golf history. A World War II veteran, Sam Snead claimed seven major victories, including three Masters and three PGA Championships. He holds the record for most career PGA victories with 82, earning him the nickname “Slammin’ Sammy”. Snead’s record stood for a long time until Tiger Woods tied it. Known as “The Black Knight” or “Mr. Fitness”, Gary Player ended his career with nine major victories, including three Masters and three Open Championships. He achieved 165 victories on six continents over 60 years, showcasing his enduring talent.
Phil Mickelson has had an illustrious career to date, with five major championships. At 50, while his chances of winning a sixth major are uncertain, Mickelson’s skill and experience make him a contender. He trails only a few golfers, like Nick Faldo and Lee Trevino, who have achieved six major wins.
McIlroy’s All-Time Ranking?
Rory McIlroy has cemented his status as an all-time great with his career Grand Slam win. Many golf legends, such as Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, and Phil Mickelson, fell short of achieving this feat.
McIlroy’s five major wins put him alongside Seve Ballesteros and just one behind Nick Faldo. However, McIlroy’s impressive résumé, including 28 PGA Tour victories and two Players Championships, might surpass Faldo’s achievements. Faldo acknowledges McIlroy’s greatness, stating that completing the career Grand Slam makes him one of the five best golfers ever.
While Nick Faldo holds a slight edge in major titles with six wins to Rory McIlroy’s five, McIlroy’s overall achievements surpass Faldo’s. Both golfers have 19 top-five finishes in majors, but McIlroy achieved this in 64 appearances, compared to Faldo’s 100. McIlroy’s résumé also includes wins in the U.S.
Open, PGA Championship, and Players Championship – titles Faldo never secured. Additionally, McIlroy has spent 122 weeks as world No. 1, exceeding Faldo’s 97 weeks at the top spot.
“It’s a whole different kettle of fish nowadays” , he explained. “He’s done way more than me. He’s won 29 times in America. Of the all-time greats, I’d put him fifth. Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack (Nicklaus) and Tiger (Woods). Rory is right there. No discredit to Gene Sarazen, but that was a completely different era. I’ve hardly seen any footage of him, but achieving the Grand Slam puts you in a different category.”
Faldo’s perspective on McIlroy’s achievement is justified. Winning all four major championships puts McIlroy in an elite group with Woods, Nicklaus, Hogan, Player, and Sarazen. Given the increased competition in modern golf, McIlroy’s five major wins are particularly impressive, even if Gene Sarazen won seven majors in a different era.
Conclusion
Rory McIlroy is undoubtedly one of the greatest golfers of all time. Currently ranked No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking, his achievements, including four major championships and over 100 weeks at the top of the world rankings, have solidified his position among the elite.McIlroy’s career Grand Slam is a significant milestone, with this latest achievement making his five major championships comparable to Phil Mickelson’s six, despite differences in their overall records. McIlroy’s two Players Championship wins contrast with Mickelson’s single victory. While Mickelson has 16 more Tour titles and 10 more top-five major finishes, McIlroy has faced intense competition from Tiger Woods throughout his career.
It’s challenging to find many golfers who surpass McIlroy’s achievements. With his career Grand Slam secure, McIlroy has a clear path to add more majors to his tally, potentially surpassing golfers like Palmer, Watson, and Snead. At 36, McIlroy still has several years of top-level golf left. Given his recent performance, he has a realistic chance of winning more majors within the next five years. This window presents an exciting opportunity for McIlroy to cement his legacy further and climb the all-time rankings
