McIlroy would win eight majors, home coach claims
Rory McIlroy’s home club coach has lauded him as a once in a generation player and predicted he could go on to win eight majors.
The proud professional at Holywood in the North said the country may not see another golfer of the calibre of the precocious schoolboy who rose to the very top.
Multi-millionaire McIlroy, 25, could now boost his earning power even more after becoming only the third after Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus to win three major tournaments by the age of 25.
There was a party atmosphere on the manicured fairways in hills overlooking Belfast where it all began for McIlroy – who dreamed of winning the Open from age two or three and used a plastic club.
Club professional Stephen Crooks said: “He is very much a once in a generation player. I don’t know if we will get anyone else from Ireland who achieves what he is doing.
“He is unique.”
McIlroy’s two-shot victory at Royal Liverpool on Sunday night made him only the third competitor from Northern Ireland to win the Open.
Among his next goals will be the US Masters, the last piece of the four-major Grand Slam, and defending his Open title next year.
Holywood Golf Club’s honorary secretary Martin Gunning said he was a normal person despite his talent.
“I remember him dreaming about winning the Open from two or three years of age. He used a plastic golf club.”
Mr Crooks predicted that McIlroy could win eight majors, given what he has achieved at such a young age.
The professional has spent the last 14 years at the club and remembers when McIlroy was a 12-year-old schoolboy whose only aim was to get on the greens with his clubs.
He said: “He has a talent but has worked extremely hard from day one to achieve what he has done.”
When he was 12 he practically lived on the golf course, Mr Crooks said.
“He just loved playing the game; as soon as school finished he was up here.”
He said the atmosphere at the club was great.
“We are just delighted that he has achieved three majors at the age of 25.”
While his father Gerry earns a windfall from a bet made 10 years ago that his son would win the Open by age 25, McIlroy can expect a boost to his own coffers through endorsements linked to his new status.
While the exact figures have not been made public, it has been reported that his contract with Nike will earn him up to $250m over 10 years.
There have been predictions he could dominate the game for the next 15 years.
