Rory McIlroy: ‘Phil Mickelson Had Zero Majors at This Point and He Went On to Win Six of Them Post-33 or 34’

When playing on the PGA Tour, winning a regular event and bagging a major title are two completely different experiences. Even one major win sets the golfer apart. Multiple ones only end up earning one of the statuses of a star. Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy, who have both cemented their place as greats on the PGA Tour, are some of the few players to have won multiple major titles.

However, with age, fans often wonder if a player will win again. In a recent interview, McIlroy spoke of winning major, especially now that it will be around eight years since he won his last one in 2014.

Rory McIlroy on Phil Mickelson and winning majors

While on the ‘No Laying Up’ podcast, the host asked McIlroy if it was like “going out in 27 and playing the back nine in 33 to shoot 60”.

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His answer was well thought out, coming with the obvious mention of Phil Mickelson, who only won his major titles after he was 30. As far as McIlroy is concerned, he has years to go. However, he did admit that there have been opportunities to win majors.

The 32-year-old remembered the 2018 Masters, where he put no pressure on Patrick Reed on the final day. “Finished second at Carnoustie, had a great chance to birdie 18 to put some pressure on Francesco [Molinari],” he said “Tied for the lead with nine-holes to go at the US Open this year at Torrey Pines – I’ve had chances, just haven’t capitalised on them”. 

But, one cannot talk about veterans winning a major without mentioning Mickelson. If the 51-year-old can do it, so can McIlroy. “I have a really long runway ahead of me. I certainly don’t think my Major winning days are over”. 

Since 2014, McIlroy has won everything one could, something which the golfer is aware of. That being said, another victory for McIlroy might not be far away.

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