David Howell: Rory McIlroy Can Add To Major Haul Following Masters Breakthrough

During the English Legends Media day at Chart Hills, we caught up with former Ryder Cup player and Sky Sports Golf presenter David Howell to discuss Rory McIlroy’s Masters success, his place among golf’s all-time greats and what could come next for the Northern Irishman.

Speaking ahead of this summer’s Major season, Howell reflected on McIlroy’s journey to completing the career Grand Slam and believes the weight of expectation that surrounded Augusta National for so many years has now been lifted.

“Where does it put him? It puts him at the very top doesn’t it?” said Howell. “At the end of the day, you’ve always got the Grand Slam. And now he’s got a couple of green jackets to boot. I think he’s our greatest ever player, certainly in the last hundred years.”

Howell believes one of the most significant changes has been McIlroy’s mindset at Augusta National.

“I just thought it was great to see Rory finally enjoy playing at Augusta National,” he said.

“I feel like ever since he got there that first year and it didn’t happen with that torrid back nine, he’s had a chip on his shoulder. It was like that little badge of Augusta National, the logo, was almost there affecting his every thought when he drove in through the gates.”

According to Howell, McIlroy’s success at Augusta proved something many observers had long suspected – that he did not need to play perfect golf to win.

“When he finally got the Grand Slam, that was a relief. He wasn’t at his very best this year. Augusta suits him like no other man on Earth in many ways, and he was able to just be Rory McIlroy.”

“Not his very best version, like the B-game, which I always thought when I was commenting on it over the years. He didn’t have to be as perfect as he thought he had to be to get it done, and that was what he showed us this year.”

With the pressure now removed, Howell expects McIlroy to contend regularly at Augusta for years to come.

“With a smile on his face and the pressure gone, boy does that place suit him and I don’t expect it to be his second and final victory. I think there’s more green jackets coming his way.”

The conversation inevitably turned to where McIlroy may finish among golf’s all-time greats, and Howell believes double figures in Major Championships is firmly within reach.

“I expect multiple Major victories from McIlroy from here to the end,” he said.

“When he looks up at that list of greats, and we’ve always named them by the amount of Majors they’ve won, he’s getting up into some really rarefied territory and I think that’s what will inspire him on.”

Asked where McIlroy could ultimately rank among the game’s legends, Howell was unequivocal.

“Very high. Can he finish behind Tiger? Possibly. Big prediction. Huge.”

With the US Open and The Open Championship still to come this season, Howell’s verdict is clear: McIlroy’s Masters breakthrough may not represent the end of a journey, but the beginning of a new chapter.