Sir Nick Faldo acknowledged Rory McIlroy’s exceptional golfing prowess, stopping short of declaring him the absolute best in history. McIlroy, 36, further solidified his status in the golf world by successfully defending his Masters title at Augusta National on Sunday.
McIlroy’s final round score of one-under-par 71 was enough to surpass world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, securing his sixth major championship victory. This accomplishment also placed McIlroy alongside golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Faldo, and Tiger Woods as the only players to win back-to-back Masters titles.
Following his first Masters win last year, where he completed the career Grand Slam, McIlroy gained recognition among golf’s elite players. Faldo, a six-time major champion, praised McIlroy’s achievements but maintained that there are still higher-ranked figures in the sport.
In an interview with The Times, Faldo placed McIlroy as the fifth greatest of all time, highlighting Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods as the top four. Faldo emphasized the significant impact of McIlroy’s 29 wins in America and his success in the modern era of golf.
Reflecting on the evolution of golf, Faldo discussed why he rates McIlroy higher than past champions like Gene Sarazen. He noted that McIlroy’s Grand Slam achievement places him in a distinctive category, hinting at further major successes in the future.
After his recent victory, McIlroy expressed gratitude to his family for their unwavering support. He particularly thanked his wife Erica and daughter Poppy for their encouragement, making a light-hearted mention of Poppy’s fondness for the Masters week traditions.
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