Rory McIlroy Joins Golf’s Elite with Career Grand Slam Victory
The jacket fit perfectly — a rich, deeper green than expected — and with it came the overwhelming realization: Rory McIlroy had finally done it. In that moment, the weight of years of questions and near-misses lifted. The doubt was gone. At 35, McIlroy has cemented his place among golf’s all-time greats.
With his latest major win, McIlroy joins the most exclusive club in golf. He now stands shoulder to shoulder with legends like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen — the only male golfers in history to complete the career Grand Slam by winning all four major championships.
It’s a feat that eluded icons such as Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, and Phil Mickelson. But now, McIlroy holds five major titles and joins Ballesteros in that elite category, just one behind Faldo. Given that McIlroy is the first European to complete the Grand Slam, some may argue he has surpassed Faldo as the continent’s greatest golfer.
That claim is supported by McIlroy’s impressive resume: 28 PGA Tour victories, including two Players Championship wins. In contrast, outside his three Masters and three Open titles, Faldo claimed only three additional PGA Tour wins.
Still, comparing players across generations is a tricky game. Rather than settle the debate, one thing is certain: Rory McIlroy is firmly in the conversation as Europe’s greatest golfer.
With the pressure of the Grand Slam finally off his shoulders, McIlroy heads into future majors with a newfound freedom. The next stop is Quail Hollow, a course where he’s found consistent success on the PGA Tour. After that comes the U.S. Open, where he’s narrowly missed out in recent years, followed by The Open Championship at Royal Portrush — a fitting return to his roots in Northern Ireland.
With momentum on his side and a legacy already secured, 2025 offers Rory McIlroy more golden opportunities to add to his legendary career.