Fellow Open Championship and U.S. Open winner Ernie Els believes current World No. 1 Rory McIlroy can capture a further 10 Majors over the course of the next two decades.
In his near eight years in the professional ranks McIlroy has already won four Majors – 2011 US Open, 2012 PGA Championship along with the 2014 Open Championship and also last year a second PGA Championship title.
In contrast, Els won his four Majors over a 20-year time spam first when he triumphed in the 1994 U.S. Open at Oakmont and three years later winning a second U.S. Open at Congressional.
It was then a further seven years befo
Four time fellow Major winner Ernie Els says Rory McIlroy can win a further 10 Majors over the next two decades. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
re the champion South African won the 2002 Open Championship and a dozen years further on in being handed the Claret Jug for a second time in 2014 at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.
However on the eve of the Irish Open hosted by McIlroy, Els predicted the 26-year could easily match Tiger Woods current haul of 14 Major Championship titles over the course of the next 20 years.
“At the moment Rory’s in a good place and he’s been in a good place for over a year, and when he’s in a space like that, he normally does quite well,” said Els on the eve of the Irish Open.
“Rory’s happy. He’s sound with a lot of things in his life, and if he keeps that up, sky’s the limit. He can go plus 14 Majors.
“In 20 years’ time, if Rory won 10 in the next 20 years, I think he can do that. You know you’re going to have some downs here and there. But if he keeps things ticking away and doesn’t make major mistakes, he’s already gone through some stuff here and there where he’s grown up quickly.
“I think he keeps things pretty simple and I know it’s tough to do as World No. 1, but he has a good plan so Rory can win more than 14.”
McIlroy responded to Els comments remarking to reporters: “That means winning one Major every two years. I think I can do that. But it’s hard to know. I feel healthy. My game is in good shape. I’m motivated. So there’s no reason why I can’t compete and give myself chances it could happen.
“I’ve got three more majors this year. I think two of those, I have good chances on. I know the courses well. I’ve played well on them before.
“But then the U.S. Open sort of turned into a bit of a lottery over the past few years, so I’m just glad I got one of those already.
“So yes, over the next 20 years hopefully, I’ll be able to add to that tally. I’m not really going to put a number on it but I’d like to think that I’ll give myself enough chances and win a few more.”
