The challenges that still lie ahead for McIlroy… starting with lifting Manchester United

The golfer believes his presence at Old Trafford could inspire the Red Devils

Winner Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, holds the trophy at the Masters golf tournament.LAPRESSE

After winning the Masters at Augusta, Rory McIlroy, a big Manchester United fan, commented that he would be delighted to wear his green jacket at Old Trafford, “in case I can inspire better play,” he joked. Augusta National did not want Jon Rahm to wear such a garment at San Mames after winning, so we would see what happens with the Northern Irishman.

In any case, the Red Devils’ coach, Ruben Amorim, has shown his enthusiasm at the possible visit of the fashionable golfer: “I invite you to Old Trafford to show your trophy,” said the Portuguese in a message on the social network ‘X’. His team is 14th in the Premier League standings.

We’ll see if McIlroy is able to find time to visit Manchester, as he is in the middle of the season and in a month the second major of the season takes place, the PGA Championship, at Quail Hollow Club, a course where he has already won four times. If this victory were to happen, it would give rise to talk of conquering the Grand Slam in the same season. The odds of achieving such a feat are very remote. No one with the current four majors has done so.

It’s only a matter of time before Rory (35) becomes the PGA Tour’s highest earner. He has just become only the second golfer to break the $100 million barrier ($104 million to be exact), only surpassed by Tiger Woods, who has $121 million. Logically, the prizes are more substantial now than in Tiger’s best years. However, Scottie Scheffler (28) is not far behind, as he is on 76. Mickelson, who was erased from the lists after jumping to LIV, was on 96.

REGAIN THE WORLD NUMBER ONE RANKING

McIlroy has won three PGA Tour tournaments this year, highlighting the The Players – Masters double, something only Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler had done in the same year. His start to the campaign has been spectacular, but the fact is that he will not be able to regain the world number one ranking until at least the US Open. It should also be noted that Scheffler, who had a historic 2024, is not doing too badly since he returned from his hand surgery. This week Scottie is defending his RBC Heritage title.

THE EUROPEAN PLAYER WITH THE MOST MAJORS

McIlroy’s fifth ‘Major’ finally came a few days ago and also served to complete the Grand Slam, something that only six players have done in history. With his fifth, he is only one major away from matching Nick Faldo. However, another Briton, Harry Vardon, although born in Jersey, won seven in the late 19th century.

WINNING THE BRITISH OPEN AT ST. ANDREWS

It’s not an immediate goal, but the fact that it was recently announced that The Open will return to St. Andrews in 2027 will have pleased more than one player. McIlroy came away with a very bad taste in his mouth from the 2022 edition, when he was the favorite to win on the last day and finished third, two strokes behind Cam Smith. This would undoubtedly crown his career.

TO OUTPOINT SERGIO GARCIA

This seems like an almost complicated mission because the Ryder Cup is held every two years and there is no guarantee of success in each edition, no matter how good you are individually. After scoring four points at Marco Simone in 2023 – his best to date – McIlroy now has 18 points in seven Ryder Cups. He has not missed a single one and still has a lot of golf left in him. However, will he be able to catch up with the all-time record holder Sergio Garcia, who has 28.5? The Spaniard is also old enough to play in a few more editions, although he missed out on Rome due to his move to LIV Golf.