When Rory McIlroy won the third hole against the English golfer Justin Rose during the 2025 Masters playoff, he registered his name in an elusive list of career Grand Slam winners. However, one of Paul McGinley’s comments on the recent the Masters winner seemed to dampen the mood. Speaking on SkySports, former Ryder Cup captain McGinley stated that Rory McIlroy “isn’t everybody’s cup of tea.” McGinley faced heavy backlash from engaged fans, which was followed by his apology on X. However, during his latest interview, Paul McGinley clarified his stance once again.

Sitting down for an interview for Beyond the Clubhouse, the show’s host Garrett couldn’t help but point out McGinley’s comment on Rory McIlroy just some time ago. Paul McGinley explained himself and said, “I wanted to use that [the pressure on McIlroy] as a backdrop to say, look, this guy has come through in the heat of the moment against all the odds where mentally he was on the floor. And somehow he dragged himself to get back into the playoff and finish strongly.” However, McGinley accepted that while trying to show the “human element” of this comeback, “it was the wrong term to use.”

However, McGinley isn’t fully wrong. Rory McIlroy played poorly in the first round and made a finish of 72, receiving endless criticism and skepticism about his chance of winning his career Grand Slam. However, Rory McIlroy pulled through and registered his first Masters win. According to McGinley, social media blew up his comment and made it something that it didn’t mean at all. The result? The heavy backlash against him.

Talking about the backlash, McGinley said, “Well, most of the stuff that comes away, I brush it off, but that one really hurt me. Because I thought, ‘Oh, my God, don’t tell me in the hour of Rory’s success, I will be seen as a guy who didn’t want him to win.’ It’s like, are you kidding me?”

However, this isn’t the first time Paul McGinley has apologized for his comment. A few days ago, the former Ryder Cup captain defended himself by saying, “Nobody more happy than me to see him win and complete the Slam.” Rory McIlroy has yet to comment on the situation, however, it is clear that Paul McGinley holds no ill will against the Irish golfer. Paul McGinely’s comments might have seemed out of place, however, you’d be surprised to know that McGinley is a great Rory McIlroy supporter.

Paul McGinley believes Rory McIlroy has a few more majors in him

Perhaps Paul McGinley’s greatest defense against the recent backlash comes from his opinions on Rory McIlroy ahead of the Masters. Before the Masters, McGinley shared on ‘Live From’ post-game show on CBS, “There’s an air about Rory that’s different this week. Greats like Tom Watson, Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus all picked Rory this week because they obviously see something.” But, hey, Paul McGinley has supported his fellow Irishman plenty of times.

For instance, after Rory McIlroy’s win at the Masters, Paul McGinley shared similar feelings on Golf Channel and said that something feels different about the Irish golfer. “I think it’s an evolution of Rory. I’ve said if he’ll win one major, he’ll win three or four. I don’t think he’s done winning majors this year. He’s got some great chances to add to it.”

For a quick comparison, the Irish golfer achieved two wins before the Masters for the first time in his career. His wins before the Masters? AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players Championship. Undoubtedly, the golfer is moving in extraordinary ways.

If everything goes well, it is likely that we will see him playing well at the upcoming majors. For instance, Rory McIlroy has registered four PGA Tour wins at Quail Hollow, the course for next month’s U.S. PGA Championship. Additionally, the Irish golfer will compete in this year’s Open Championship where he set the course record of 61 as a 16-year-old amateur! Does that sound promising for our latest Masters champion? Lastly, McIlroy has achieved six consecutive top-10 finishes in U.S. Open and finished second in both 2023 and 2024. If anything, Paul McGinley’s words sound truthful.