For the time being, there are more achievable goals that would serve to underline McIlroy’s greatness.
“He wants to be known as the greatest European of all-time,” said former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.
Current skipper Luke Donald has already declared McIlroy as top of the pile.
Winning back-to-back Masters moved him alongside England’s Sir Nick Faldo on six majors and one clear of Spain’s Seve Ballesteros.
Jersey’s Harry Vardon remains clear of the modern-era set after winning seven majors between 1896 and 1914 – a record six Opens and one US Open in a time before the US PGA Championship and Masters existed.
Nevertheless, there is already a compelling argument that McIlroy is the greatest player to emerge from Europe.
It could not be credibly disputed on the basis of the statistics if he draws level with or eclipses Vardon.
McIlroy has won 30 times on the PGA Tour – long established as the strongest test of a player’s ability – including two victories at the US-based tour’s flagship Players Championship.
Outside his three Masters and three Open titles, Faldo won only three other events that count on the PGA Tour, although he played in a different time when the European Tour was stronger.
McIlroy is also homing in on a record eighth victory in the European tour’s season-long race.
Last season he clinched a seventh Race to Dubai title – his fourth in succession – to eclipse Ballesteros’ tally of six and leave him one behind Colin Montgomerie’s record.
“As much as many of us might think that he’s already Europe’s best ever, he didn’t have as many major championships as Nick Faldo or Harry Vardon,” added McGinley.
“Even though he has caught Nick he hasn’t caught Vardon. There’s always another level to reach and I think he has reset his goals in that regard.”
