Clinching the Masters earlier this year to complete his career grand slam, Rory McIlroy ignited multiple conversations. Amidst the discussions of his win at Augusta after 11 years of drought and being amongst only five other greats to ever capture every major, one question grew louder– Is he now one of the best golfers ever? Indeed, getting his name into the history books with the green jacket makes the Northern Irishman a legend of the sport. But when he lines up amongst the other greats, where does he exactly stand? 

Debates began all across the golfing world as many named him the best European golfer, even ahead of the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Harry Vardon and Nick Faldo. While his accomplishments on the green were accounted for, people considered many other factors such as the competition, influence on the sport, and much more. For Sean Fairholm, McIlroy may be ahead of these legends, but he still stands somewhere at the eleventh spot in the world.

For others, like Michael Arkush, the author of The Golf 100: A Spirited Ranking of the Greatest Players of All Time, the rankings are quite different. In fact, Arkush believes McIlroy might never cross the legend who Jon Rahm remembered after his Masters win in 2023 for his “I miss, I miss, I miss, I make” 4-putt historic win. The New York Times bestselling author shared his frank assessment on the 5 Clubs podcast, placing McIlroy at 25th in his comprehensive rankings. Meanwhile, ranking the legendary Seve Ballesteros significantly higher at 17th position.

In his latest appearance, host Gary Williams asked Arkush, “You want to start looking at where he is all-time amongst all players… You have Seve 17th in the book, you have Faldo at 22nd. Is Rory now in front of both?” The author gave his reasoning on placing McIlroy where he did:

“He’s in front of Faldo. He’s not in front of Seve. He’s No. 20; we’ll see what happens in the British Open in a few weeks… But that’s a question many people have asked and he’s risen up. I’ve tried to figure out ‘How high can he go?’ He’s 36-years-old now. What would he have to do to enter the top 10? Still quite a bit. I’m not sure he’s going to get there.”

While a blunt take, Arkush’s ranking system isn’t simple either. He emphasizes major championships above all other achievements. The system allocates 2,000 points for major victories and additional points for top-five finishes. Consequently, McIlroy‘s five major victories place him behind several European legends in the all-time hierarchy despite the golfer’s rather remarkable 2025 season.

Rory’s year started on a very high note, with 2 wins on the Tour, even before the Masters. However, since Augusta, it all started going downhill, as he self-admittedly struggled to find motivation.

Furthermore, Arkush’s system challenges the narrative that McIlroy’s Masters victory automatically elevates him among golf’s immortals. Even with Javier Ballesteros calling him “one of the best players of all time in global golf” during recent award ceremonies where he won the Seve Ballesteros Award, Arkush remains unconvinced.

Seve Ballesteros achieved legendary status through five major championships and an unprecedented influence in Europe. The Spaniard won three Open Championships and two Masters titles between 1979 and 1988. Additionally, he revolutionized European golf and became a Ryder Cup icon with an incredible 22.5 points from 37 matches. His flamboyant style and clutch performances earned him recognition as one of golf’s most influential figures. Ballesteros accumulated over 90 international tournament victories throughout his career. Modern Spanish stars, such as Jon Rahm, have frequently cited Ballesteros as their inspiration.

Arkush’s rankings reflect this broader impact beyond pure statistics. He considers tournament victories, longevity, and cultural significance in his assessments. The methodology also evaluates each player’s influence on golf development worldwide. Therefore, Ballesteros’ transformative effect on European golf keeps him ahead of McIlroy despite similar major championship totals.

The Championship mountain Rory McIlroy must climb

McIlroy faces substantial challenges in his quest for top-10 recognition. Current golf analysts suggest he ranks around 11th among all-time greats. However, players ahead of him achieved sustained excellence over longer periods. The current world number two must bridge significant accomplishment gaps.

Tom Watson holds eight major titles and three Player of the Year honors. Phil Mickelson captured six majors and maintained elite status for decades. These achievements create significant gaps that McIlroy must overcome through additional major victories. Moreover, both players demonstrated remarkable longevity at the highest level of golf.

The path forward requires more than just tournament wins. McIlroy needs signature moments that define careers and inspire generations. Additionally, he must maintain his current level while aging gracefully through his late thirties even after his impressive 2025 campaign with victories at Pebble Beach, The Players Championship, and Augusta National.

His recent performances suggest this remains possible. McIlroy has won three times in 2025 and reached his career Grand Slam. His driving distance and iron precision remain elite weapons. Moreover, his Masters breakthrough demonstrated remarkable mental fortitude under extreme pressure. He currently leads several key statistical categories on the Tour.

The upcoming major championship offers an immediate opportunity for advancement. The Open Championship at Royal Portrush represents McIlroy’s next chance to add to his major tally. Playing on home soil in Northern Ireland should provide extra motivation for the Northern Irishman. The venue holds special significance as McIlroy once shot a course record 61 there as a teenager, although he struggled during the 2019 edition when the pressure of expectations proved overwhelming.

Arkush’s assessment provides a sobering perspective on McIlroy’s historical standing. While fans celebrate his recent achievements, objective analysis reveals the significant work remaining. The debate over Europe’s most outstanding golf player continues. Nevertheless, McIlroy’s championship window remains wide open for further legacy building. Could he do it?