Paul McGinley: This is the number of majors Rory McIlroy needs to be crowned Europe’s best ever

As Rory McIlroy prepares to win back-to-back majors at the PGA Championship, his former Ryder Cup captain has set him a target…

Paul McGinley believes Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam achievement “moves him into a different place” when it comes to golf’s top table of major champions.

At the 17th time of asking, McIlroy finally slipped into the Green Jacket at the Masters to join one of the most exclusive clubs in sport.

McIlroy’s fifth major victory moved him up to a tie for 15th in the all-time list, alongside a sextet of Hall of Famers in James Braid, JH Taylor, Byron Nelson, Peter Thomson, Seve Ballesteros and Brooks Koepka.

And while the likes of Phil Mickelson and Nick Faldo are one ahead – for now – McGinley believes McIlroy’s Grand Slam has “moved himself apart” from those.

“Only six players have done it,” he explained. “And in the last 59 years only one player has done it – and that’s Tiger Woods.

“You’ve sat the four exams that major championships are and completed them. It’s a very, very rare feat, particularly in modern times with the competition you have. It’s something really special.”

The nail-biting win at Augusta left us all dreaming of golf’s first ever calendar Grand Slam. As has been noted, two of the next three major venues, in particular, are suited McIlroy in one way or another.

“Rory has won four times around Quail Hollow and I think he’s been second as well. So it’s a golf course that suits him. And he’s pretty good when he’s got unfinished business, which Portrush certainly is.

“He felt he let everybody down the last time, when Shane won around there in 2019, so he’ll be coming out with something to prove there. He’ll have a little bit less weight on the shoulders and I think he’ll enjoy it a bit more this time.”

But while McGinley, who now plies his trade on the Legends Tour, says “the odds of that happening are very slim”, the Irishman also believes “it may well open a door”.

“The expectation is huge,” he added. “Just when you get over one hurdle, the expectation is back on his shoulders now.

“He hasn’t really had it in majors over the last few years, and the ball kind of bounced the wrong way at the wrong time for him. But at the Masters it did. I’m sure he would give up all of those near misses for completing the Grand Slam and the Masters as well, with that monkey now off his back.

“It’s great for Rory, great for European golf, great for golf in general. I think we needed a feel-good story.”

• Rory McIlroy’s long and winding road to redemption, a Green Jacket, and Grand Slam immortality

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Speaking of which, it’s now it’s time for McIlroy to set his sights on his next major target. From a European perspective, only Faldo and Harry Vardon have more.

“Well, I think passing Nick Faldo is the first thing,” McGinley explained. “If he gets to seven majors, that’s a phenomenal career.

“It’s still a big ask. It’s not a given. He’s going to have to play really well, but he does have two good chances this year.

“He’s a more complete player than he’s ever been before. He’s more equipped to win majors than he’s ever been before. And if the ambition stays strong, there’s no reason why he can’t surpass Nick and get to seven or maybe even more.”

Paul McGinley was speaking as an ambassador for the Legends Tour presented by Staysure.