Colin Montgomery has named Rory McIlroy “the best European golfer ever”, following the five-time major champion’s superb 2025 season.
McIlroy ended an 11-year major drought and completed a career Grand Slam with a thrilling Masters triumph in April, while the Northern Irishman can also count on a Ryder Cup win away to New York – Europe’s first in the US since 2012 – and a seventh DP World Tour Order of Merit among his 20225.
McIlroy’s latest success in the Race to Dubai – his fourth in a row – sees him pull within one of Montgomery’s record of eight, which the man himself expects to eventually be broken.
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Experience McIlroy’s 2025 Masters, Ryder Cup, Irish Open, Players Championship and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am wins
“If there’s anybody to do it and ever break my record, I’d rather it be him,” Montgomery said. Ski Sports.
“Now I’d say Rory won all four tournaments, I think you’d have to put him ahead of (Nick) Faldo and say Rory is the best European player to ever play.
“Faldo has six directions to Rory and Seva (Ballesteros) five. Does that necessarily mean Faldo is better than Rory?
“Rory has achieved what no European player has achieved in the past by winning a career Grand Slam.”
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Watch highlights of McIlroy’s run to win the Masters in a playoff against Justin Rose to complete the career Grand Slam!
“He’s got very little left. Having won all the majors, winning the Ryder Cup away from home twice, like he had in 2012 and 2025, there’s one thing left.”
“I’m sure he will break my record in the years to come.”
McIlroy himself reserved praise for the “underrated” Montgomery ahead of his latest Order of Merit title, hailing the Scot’s achievement in winning seven of his record eight consecutive years (1993-99).
“To keep it going seven years in a row and win eight Orders of Merit, it’s probably not talked about enough,” McIlroy said.
“Especially in that golden age of European golf where he’s up against Faldo, (Sandy) Lyle, (Bernard) Langer and Woozy (Ian Woosnam).”
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European Ryder Cup stars explain what Grand Slam champion McIlroy means to golf
Montgomery admitted he was “very honored” by McIlroy’s kind words.
“He didn’t have to, and I appreciate what he said,” Montgomery said.
“In a way, he’s probably right. A lot of guys now, his competition, are playing in America, where we’re not really.
“I remember when I won the Scandinavian Masters in 1991 to make the Ryder Cup team, I remember Seve was second, Faldo third and Woosnam fourth. That doesn’t happen in Europe now.”
“It was a very insightful thing to say, and I was very honored.”
The current golf landscape is dominated by McIlroy and world No. 1 Scotty Scheffler, who have shared three of four major wins this year – and Montgomery predicts the same for 2026.
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Scottie Scheffler claimed his fourth major win and his first Claret Jug at Royal Portrush in 2025.
“There are a lot of ones and twos in the world, and then a gap to the number three,” Montgomery added. “If it’s not Scotty Scheffler, it’s usually Rory McIlroy.”
“Rory’s season will really start with the Masters. He has to focus on that and see how he goes there, coming back as the defending champion.”
“There will be a little less pressure on him and I expect Rory to have a great season.”
“The way he’s playing the game right now is outstanding.”
Colin Montgomery spoke to Ski Sports ahead of Team Europe’s presentation at the Skechers World Cup supported by Shriners Children’s, December 4-7.
The global team competition inspired by the Rider Cup and Presidents Cup will feature Team USA, Team International and Team Europe battling for international pride and global bragging rights.
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