Six-time Major winner Nick Faldo had been aware of Rory McIlroy’s potential from a young age, but it was one particular swing as a teenager that truly caught his attention. The Northern Irishman, who had always been predicted to achieve great things, has now finally accomplished the career Grand Slam.
Faldo, who himself has won the Masters three times, had watched McIlroy strive and fail to secure the coveted Green Jacket for ten years. However, last week, McIlroy finally reached the pinnacle, defeating Justin Rose in a play-off at Augusta to clinch the one major title that had consistently eluded him.
It was during a shot in the pouring rain at Carnoustie in Scotland, a course that last hosted the Open in 2018, that Faldo first realised he was witnessing something extraordinary. As one of golf’s biggest stars, the 67 year old began organising junior events, with the young Northern Irishman being invited.
At that stage in his development, McIlroy, still very much in his early days, was considered the third best of his generation, trailing behind James Heath and Ollie Fisher. However, when he was 18, he played a round with Faldo and executed a shot that left an indelible impression on the three-time Masters champion.
Sir Nick reminisced about his early recognition of McIlroy’s talent to The Times, recalling a moment during the practice round at Carnoustie in 2007.
“I had this thing called Team Faldo and I took six or eight of them to California. James Heath was the best amateur, Ollie Fisher was there,” said Faldo.
“Rory was like third back then, but I remember I played with him. It was chucking it down with rain and he put all his waterproofs on and then he made that famous follow through and I went, ‘Wow, that’s different’. That was the first time [I knew he was special].”
Since that revelation, McIlroy has dazzled the golf world with numerous remarkable shots, amassing five major titles and over twenty PGA Tour victories. One particular shot stands out for Faldo – McIlroy’s second into the par-five 15th at Augusta, which Faldo rates as one of the greatest in golf history.
“Before the tournament I was trying to describe different attitudes and I was saying, ‘You don’t go happy-go-lucky at Augusta’, but that shot was definitely Monte Carlo or Bust,” Faldo explained. “I think that was right up there in the top half-a-dozen greatest shots we’ve seen over the years, and, more importantly for him, the greatest seven-iron he’s hit in his life.”
McIlroy’s journey to stardom began with his US Open victory in 2011, followed by two PGA Championships and an Open win by 2014. With five majors under his belt, he is just one behind Faldo, who nevertheless places McIlroy above himself in the annals of golfing greatness.
“He’s done way more than me. He’s won 29 times in America,” he acknowledged.
“Of the all-time greats, I’d put him fifth. Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack [Nicklaus] and Tiger [Woods]. Rory is right there. No discredit to Gene Sarazen, but that was a completely different era.
“I’ve hardly seen any footage of him, but achieving the grand slam puts you in a different category.”
