Victorious Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie had joined the chorus to single out Rory McIlroy for special praise knowing he had to win the Honda Classic to become World No. 1.
McIlroy has become the second youngest to achieve the game’s highest world ranking and also he’s the first Irish born player to become World No. 1 following his two shot success at Palm Beach Gardens.
The closest Monty got to the top rung of the rankings was to No. 2 in October, 1996 and just after his 12th of 31 European Tour wins.
Monty has likened McIlroy’s success around the alligator infested waters of Florida last week to that of England’s Luke Donald, and the player McIlroy dethroned to become World No. 1.
Donald had to also win in Florida late last year, and did so to become the 2012 PGA Tour’s leading money winner.
“To go and win when you have to win is just fantastic and all credit to Rory,” said Monty.
“We saw that in late November last year when Luke Donald had to win the Disney tournament to finish Number One in the States, and he did and that was extraordinary.
“So then for Rory to win the Honda and with it the World No. 1 ranking was also remarkable.
“I was in that situation in 1993 and teeing up in the Volvo Masters knowing that I had to win the event to finish the year European No. 1 and I did.
“But to turn up at any event with that sort of pressure and to do what you need to do, well!
“So all credit to Rory as it was really, really good because any one of those teeing up on Sunday could have won that event.”
And Monty believes McIlroy’s move to World No. 1 and Tiger Woods hopeful return to winning form promises next month’s Masters at Augusta to be one of the most anticipated for some time.
Bookmakers have installed McIlroy and Woods as joint favourite for the year’s first Major starting on April 5th.
“It is now one of the most exciting times we’ve had for some time leading into a Major Championship with Europe boasting the game’s top four and then there’s Mr. Woods,” said Monty.
“After Rory moving to World No. 1 and Tiger playing the way he did on Sunday it will be an extremely interesting Major.
“There’s probably six guys headed by Rory and including Woods along Phil Mickelson, who shot a brilliant 64 in Woods’ company to win recently at Pebble Beach to now focus on.
“But the way Tiger finished on Sunday night was back to the Tiger Woods of old.
“He had finished poorly on Friday and Saturday but that iron shot into the last on Sunday and that eagle putt, well I mean we had given him the putt already and that’s what we used to do.
“So it’s good we’re back to that feel of Tiger doing something special and to play those last two holes birdie, eagle was incredible in coming back to put real pressure on Rory.
“I’m sure the Rory McIlroy of two years probably would not have won that event.
“But two years on Rory’s winning it and winning it with apparent ease. He’s playing so well tee-to-green that’s he’s allowing himself that freedom of being one or two ahead that he can just play in.
“That’s fantastic to see how he handled Sunday and all credit to him.
”And it’s great for the game Tiger is back as we’ve missed him as a competitor and a marketer for the game along with television, the media and fans around the world.
“So I don’t think next Masters would be much anticipated as it now is without Tiger again playing well.”
