¿Es Rory McIlroy la “última leyenda” del golf moderno?
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EN In today’s hyper-connected world of professional sports, the concept of a ‘legend’ is becoming increasingly rare. Especially in golf, a sport once defined by icons like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, fans often wonder, ‘Who’s next?’ Rather, is there even a ‘next legend’ at all? For many, Rory McIlroy isn’t just one of the sport’s best-known names, and he might be the ‘last enduring legend’ of modern golf.
If not McIlroy, is it Scottie Scheffler? Well, he is still too young to fall into the category! Or is it Jon Rahm? Again, his move to LIV Golf certainly hindered his chances to become one!
After recently completing his long-awaited career grand slam at the 2025 Masters, the Irish star has most likely etched his name in golden letters. A former World No. 1, McIlroy has maintained both relevance and reverence for over 15 years. His 44 professional victories raise the question of whether greatness like his will ever exist again in modern golf!
Rory McIlroy’s ‘Legendary’ Status: Fact or Myth?
June 19, 2011, a young kid from Northern Ireland stormed the world with his brilliance at the US Open. A promising and dominant eight-stroke victory over Jason Day was a testament to his unbelievable skill set. Followed by three more major victories in the next three years, McIlroy entered the elite list of players to have won four majors before the age of 25, alongside the legendary Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
However, it wasn’t just his victories that earned Rory McIlroy the ‘last legend’ status. It was more of his impact on world golf and the PGA Tour.
When stars like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Brooks Koepka decided to switch to the breakaway league, LIV Golf, Wee-Mac became the face of the Tour. He voiced for tradition, transparency, and unity inside the professional golf world. This influence got many of his peers to believe in the Tour, despite the lucrative offers from the Saudi-backed league.
How Does Rory McIlroy’s Career Stack Up Against Past Greats?
At first glance, Wee-Mac’s professional golf career wouldn’t seem monumental like the titanic Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. However, considering the level of competition in today’s golf, his career seems well-disciplined and consistent.
A player with 29 PGA Tour victories, probably the most against all the other regular competitors, isn’t just an ordinary man! Rory McIlroy has been at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings for over 100 weeks in his entire career. And still, (as of April 2025), he ranks second, just behind a younger Scottie Scheffler.
In addition to that, McIlroy is one of the few elites to play and dominate both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. Moreover, when everyone thought Wee-Mac would never lift another major ever again, at 35, he won his fifth title and his first Masters trophy to silence his critics!
So, what more do we need to give him the status of ‘legend,’ probably the last one!
After Rory McIlroy: Will It Be ‘No Legend Era’ In Golf?
After the arrival of LIV Golf, the professional golf ecosystem seems fractured. Although there have been talks about a merger, it seems to be a long shot. Adding to that, the audience is now younger, digital-first, and less loyal to traditional greatness.
In this fast-cycle media environment, even top-tier athletes are quickly forgotten without constant success. Just last year, in 2024, Scottie Scheffler’s dream run got him into the debate of being the ‘next great’ of the sport. However, a quarter of 2025 has already passed, and he is still searching for his first victory this year.
Lea también: Tiger Woods es más grande que el golf… ¡Y eso es un problema!
So, is it safe to say Rory McIlroy will be the ‘Last Legend’ the game of golf will ever see? It’s too early to predict. Even the NBA found LeBron James after the legendary Michael Jordan. So did Cricket: Virat Kohli after the God Sachin Tendulkar.
One thing is sure: no matter how elite the competition is in the coming years. Stars like Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, and Ludvig Aberg may etch their name as one of the best in golf. However, Wee-Mac will surely be the ‘Last Traditional Legend’ of the game of golf!
