Paul McGinley has made a bold prediction about Rory McIlroy after watching him win his second consecutive Masters.
The Northern Irishman held off late surges from Scottie Scheffler, Tyrrell Hatton and Russell Henley with a solid performance at Augusta National.
However, perhaps the most impressive aspect of McIlroy’s victory was that he did not have his A-game, or even his B-game, over the weekend.
McGinley is now convinced that the world number two can still improve and enjoy more success in the years to come.
Paul McGinley predicts Rory McIlroy could still improve after second Green Jacket
McIlroy struggled off the tee throughout the week at Augusta, and his iron play deserted him for much of the last two rounds.
However, his recovery shots from bad positions and scrambling around the greens were world-class and separated him from the field.
Therefore, McGinley believes McIlroy’s game is as complete as it has ever been, with the unique ability to win major championships without playing his best.
The former European Ryder Cup captain also argued “there is no doubt” that McIlroy can become an even better golfer.
“He can keep improving; there is no doubt about that,” McGinley told Sky Sports Golf. “The short game is far better than it has ever been before.
“He is a more complete player now than he was when he won the three majors early in his career. He has got his armoury now. He can win with his B-game and even his C-game. We have seen that on the PGA Tour.
“He doesn’t have to be on his game, like he was at the start of his career. He is a more mature player now and a more complete player.”
Paul McGinley suggests Rory McIlroy could follow in Justin Rose’s footsteps
While McIlroy is 36 years old, which is typically towards the end of a golfer’s prime, he has shown no signs of slowing down.
As McGinley suggested, the six-time major champion’s best years could still be ahead of him, as unfathomable as that may seem.
And, even when his physical superiority fades, McIlroy could still compete at the highest level for many more years.
McGinley has explained why McIlroy’s game will age well, meaning he could follow in Justin Rose’s footsteps in competing at majors in his 40s.
“The last thing I will say about it is that he has a game that will age,” McGinley continued. “So as he gets into his 40s and loses maybe five percent of his driving distance, he is still going to be one of the longest in the game, and we know how important that is.
“So right now everything is there, it’s a question of what is in his heart and how he is going to keep going forward because everything else is in place.”
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