Paul McGinley selects Europe’s best ever golfer between Rory McIlroy and Sir Nick Faldo

He replied: “No question. In my mind, no question. The fact that he’s a grand slam winner I think moves him ahead of the fact that Nick Faldo has won a major more than he has.

“To be the complete player and sit every one of the four exams of the majors and deal with the pressure of getting over the line with the fourth, a number of guys, great players, have got to three of the four majors and then the pressure of trying to win the last one has been just too hard for them to surmount.

“And then to keep knocking on the door and get over the line. That for me makes him most successful… for me it’s even bigger than that.”

“For me, he’s one of the greatest sportspeople we have ever seen anywhere in any sport. That’s how high a bar in my opinion Rory McIlroy has set.”

Why Rory McIlroy belongs in the debate for Europe’s No. 1 golfer

The debate over who stands as Europe’s greatest golfer is always lively — and Rory McIlroy unquestionably has a place at the center of that conversation. His achievements speak for themselves: five major championships and 29 PGA Tour titles across a consistently brilliant career.

Of course, he isn’t the only titan in the discussion. Sir Nick Faldo’s six major wins give him a formidable claim, while Seve Ballesteros and Colin Montgomerie remain towering figures in European golf history, both leaving legacies that helped shape the sport for generations.

Yet there’s a growing argument that McIlroy may have now moved ahead of those iconic names. His longevity, consistency, and ability to remain competitive across multiple eras strengthen the belief that he’s redefining European excellence in golf.

Still, McIlroy seems content simply to be mentioned alongside the legends of the game — and with plenty of years left at the top level, he has every chance to build an even stronger case for himself.