Johnson Wagner believes that Rory McIlroy can set his sights on winning 10 major titles following his second Masters victory, and thinks that he has a good chance to take one of Jack Nicklaus’ records at Augusta National.
McIlroy became only the fourth player to win The Masters in successive years this past week. The Northern Irishman beat Scottie Scheffler by one shot at the first major of the year.
Only Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods had won back-to-back tournaments. But the 36-year-old has now added his name to that list.
Johnson Wagner predicts how many majors Rory McIlroy will win
It is the first sign that his victory at Augusta National 12 months ago is going to unlock a different side to Rory McIlroy.
He played with plenty of freedom, particularly over the first two days. No one has ever had a bigger lead heading into the weekend at Augusta National. That is an ominous sign for all of his rivals.
Speaking on CBS Sports, Johnson Wagner backed McIlroy to win several more majors over the rest of his career.
He also thinks McIlroy could make history at Augusta National in around a decade.
“I’m very confident that we’re going to see number seven when he said he’s not going to stop here. I think 8.5’s a great total. I’m going to be optimistic, I’m going to say nine [major wins],” he said.
“You look at the way he’s conditioned his body over the last few years. I know he had that lingering back issue at Bay Hill from a workout, but when you’re as fit as he is, building your body to swing at the speeds he’s capable of, his age doesn’t bother me.
“I think Rory’s the kind of guy too, if he gets a stranglehold on those majors in the next few years, I think he’d like the opportunity to be the oldest winner of The Masters Tournament. Jack Nicklaus was obviously 46, and has held that for a long time. Justin Rose may have something to say about it next year, but I think that’s something going down the road if Rory still has motivation, I think 10 is well within reach.”
When Rory McIlroy gets his first opportunity to become the oldest Masters winner
McIlroy’s first opportunity to become the oldest Masters winner ever is currently set to come at the 2036 Masters.
Nicklaus had turned 46 a few months earlier when he won in 1986. Meanwhile, McIlroy will be rapidly approaching his 47th birthday at the tournament held 50 years after Nicklaus’ iconic victory.
As Wagner notes, it is hard to imagine that Justin Rose will not contend for The Masters again at some stage in his career. Rose still has more top three finishes at Augusta National than McIlroy.
But there does not appear to be many other candidates to set a new record before McIlroy gets a chance.
You should never be surprised if Phil Mickelson puts himself in the mix at Augusta National. Meanwhile, Shane Lowry has threatened to make a charge before two really poor final rounds in the last two years.
But McIlroy appears to have a golden opportunity now to only add to his legacy as one of the greatest players of all-time.
