Golf legend claims Rory McIlroy is the fifth-best golfer of all time

"He’s done way more than me. He’s won 29 times in America," Faldo said. "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."

He's not wrong about that. Woods, Nicklaus, Hogan, Player, Sarazen and now McIlroy are the only six golfers in history to win all four major championships. Even though Sarazen won seven majors, Faldo is more impressed by McIlroy's five in today's more competitive era. 

Faldo still has McIlroy beat with his six major championships, but the 67-year-old firmly believes that won't last much longer. 

"He obviously got off to a flyer with those first four majors. I remember I said then he might be really disappointed to only win ten majors or he will be ecstatic to win five," Faldo said. "...Rory is 35, he’s as fit as a fiddle, and you’ve got to believe he’s really shaken the monkey off his back. I would’ve thought it’ll set him free and he might be the unique one to go on and win [multiple] more majors."

If McIlroy wants to cement himself as a top-five golfer of all time, he likely needs to knock off at least two or three more majors. Remember, Nicklaus won 18 in his storied career. Woods won 15 while competing against McIlroy for much of his run. It won't be possible to catch those two icons, but McIlroy could realistically catch Hogan and Player at nine majors.