Rory McIlroy hailed by Colin Montgomerie as ‘greatest European golfer ever’ after historic Masters-winning season

Rory McIlroy has been hailed as “the best European golfer ever” by Colin Montgomerie following on from the five-time main champion’s glowing 2025 season.

McIlroy ended an 11-year main drought and accomplished the profession grand slam with an exhilarating triumph at The Masters in April, whereas the Northern Irishman may rely a Ryder Cup away win in New York – a primary for Europe within the US since 2012 – and a seventh DP World Tour Order of Benefit amongst his 2025 achievements.

McIlroy’s newest Race to Dubai success – his fourth in a row – sees him pull to inside one in every of Montgomerie’s file haul of eight, which the person himself expects to be damaged ultimately.

“If there was one to do that and ever break my record, I would rather it be him,” Montgomerie advised Sky Sports activities.

“I might say now that Rory has gained all 4 majors, I feel you’d must put him forward of [Nick] Faldo and say that Rory is the perfect European participant ever to play.

“Faldo has six majors to Rory and Seve [Ballesteros]’s 5. Does that essentially imply Faldo is best than Rory?

“Rory has achieved what no European participant has achieved prior to now by profitable the profession grand slam.

“There’s very little left for him. Having won all the majors, having won the Ryder Cup away twice, as he has in 2012 and 2025, there’s one thing left.

“I am positive that within the years to return, he’ll break my file.”

McIlroy, himself, reserved praise for “underrated” Montgomerie in the lead-up to his latest Order of Merit title, hailing the Scot’s achievements in claiming seven of his record haul of eight in consecutive years (1993-99).

“To maintain that for seven years straight, and win eight Order of Deserves, it most likely does not get talked about sufficient,” McIlroy said.

“Particularly in that golden age of European golf the place he is going up towards Faldo, [Sandy] Lyle, [Bernard] Langer and Woosie [Ian Woosnam].”

Montgomerie admitted he was “very honoured” by McIlroy’s variety phrases.

“He didn’t have to, and I appreciate what he said,” Montgomerie stated.

“In a way, he’s probably right. A lot of the guys now, his competition, are playing in America, where we didn’t really.

“I keep in mind once I gained the Scandinavian Masters in 1991 to get onto the Ryder Cup workforce, I keep in mind Seve was second, Faldo was third and Woosnam was fourth. That does not occur now in Europe.

“It was a very astute thing to say, and I was very honoured.”

The present {golfing} panorama is dominated by McIlroy and world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, who shared three of the 4 main wins this yr – and Montgomerie predicts comparable in 2026.

“There’s very much the one and two in the world and then a gap to number three,” Montgomerie added. “If it’s not Scottie Scheffler, it’s normally Rory McIlroy.

“Rory’s season will actually begin with The Masters. He has to deal with that and see how he goes there, coming again as defending champion.

“There will be a little less pressure on him, and I expect Rory to have a great season.

“The way in which that he is enjoying the sport proper now could be extraordinary.”

Colin Montgomerie was speaking to Sky Sports ahead of representing Team Europe in the Skechers World Champions Cup supporting Shriners Children’s, from December 4-7.

The Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup-inspired global team competition will feature Team USA, Team International and Team Europe going head-to-head as they battle for international pride and global bragging rights.

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