Where does Rory McIlroy rank in the Greatest of All Time debate? Nick Faldo’s in no doubt

There has been chat about Rory McIlroy now being the best this continent has ever produced. But what about the all-time list?

Where does Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam achievement rank him in the greatest of all time list?

It’s something fans and commentators alike have been discussing since the Northern Irishman finally pulled on the Green Jacket after a nail-biting final day at Augusta National.

“I did get teary because I know that walk off 18 and realising what he’d done,” the six-time major champion told The Times. “People don’t appreciate the workload that has gone into that physically, technically, mentally.

‘You spend thousands of hours and hit millions of balls to reach your goal, and a heck of a goal it was.”

As for whether or not this will spur McIlroy on or if he’ll be happy now he’s in golf’s most exclusive club, Faldo has little doubt. “I would’ve thought it’ll set him free [to] win more majors,” he added.

So where does Faldo – who, as it stands, has one more major win that McIlroy thanks to his three Green Jackets and three Claret Jugs – rank McIlroy in the all-time list?

“It’s a whole different kettle of fish nowadays,” he explained. “He’s done way more than me. He’s won 29 times in America.

“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.”

Faldo also responded to questions that he had gone too far in his criticism of Bryson DeChambeau after the American’s final-round 75 saw him fall from being McIlroy’s main challenger at the start of the day to finishing in a tie for 5th with Sungjae Im.

“That’s bullshit,” Faldo said. “I like the guy. I texted him after he won the US Open.

“I don’t like the way he plays at times, which I’m allowed to criticize. He said he was going to attack Troon last year [at The Open]. You don’t attack a links, you thread it down there. I’m not sure about his strategy, but he is great entertainment.

“I’m a fan.”