Rory McIlroy vs Jack Nicklaus Record - Can He Do It??

SharpshooterTom

So Rory is on the verge on dismantling the US Open this year. He's sure to win.

But if he does, how many more can he win??

He's being compared a lot to Tiger Woods of 2000/01, he should be on at least 2 majors this year, maybe can he win the rest if he keeps this form up?

He's probably looking at a 20 year career. So if he averages one a year with his talent (and now the monkey off his back) with little competition, can he break Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 majors (or Tigers)?

Can he go down as the greatest Irish/British sportsman of all time??

Collie D

Steady on!

Big fan of the guy but let him win his first before challenging to another 17. Couple of years ago it looked like only a matter of time before Tiger broke 18 Majors and now even at four short, that's looking highly unlikely. Methinks Nicklaus' record is here to stay for a long time. I'd love Rory to prove me wrong though!

Pierce_1991

I've said for about a year now I fully believe Rory will win at least 10 majors in his career and I do think he'll beat the record

mikemac

Slow down

When Tiger won his first Masters bookies were taking bets on him winning the next three majors in a row

We'll see when Rory wins one

1916

Revisit post when he has secured 10

soundsham

Could and should be on for the Rory Slam

Defo a 1/2 dozen in him

Injuries ??

Thinking of tiger and the likes of rafa nadal and anyone that starts out so young
When your bearing balls since your a kid its impossible to avoid the wear and tear

DULLAHAN2

Collie D wrote: »

Steady on!

Big fan of the guy but let him win his first before challenging to another 17. Couple of years ago it looked like only a matter of time before Tiger broke 18 Majors and now even at four short, that's looking highly unlikely. Methinks Nicklaus' record is here to stay for a long time. I'd love Rory to prove me wrong though!

So if Rory wins today, he will need 18 more to break the record, at one a year that's 18 years at least:P

Panrich

Rory has proven that he has the talent required to win majors. What remains to be seen, is if he has the desire and insatiable hunger to keep going back year after year, having already proven himself.

Sandwlch

The Koreans are coming....

Its going to be a lot harder to win multiple majors in future. Not that someone wont be playing fantastic golf, but because so many will. More will be in contention for majors, and they will be shared around more. Witness the ladies game.

MungoMan

Asking if a player who is yet to win a major will beat Jack's record is bizarre.

Sandwlch

In Doug Sanders autobiography he describes how the night before his playoff with Jack, he was thinking there wasnt such a big thing about the majors, and wondering how many could he rack up before he retired.

durkadurka

Rorys objective should be to equal gmacs record.

melb

Talk bout getting ahead of yourself!

Harrington is his first target as leading Irish major winner.

Kevinmarkham

Tell me this: how dumb would you feel if you started this thread the night before the last round of the Masters?

Let him win this one and then we can start this discussion.

Backstreet Moyes

Im too hungover to put up a picture of a facepalm.

dougal

He's going to win 19 and knock that Nicklaus off his perch!
I know cos a man with a red nose told me!:P

Benny Cake

Someone told me he once beat chuck norris in a staring contest and that when he takes a dump he wipes his ar5e with brand new Footjoy golf gloves....

k.p.h

Was thinking about dragging up the old do you think Oosthuizen is going to beat Nicklaus's record thread...

ajc100

I think he will win this one and 2 more over the next 12 months. then he will decide to deconstuct his swing and become $hite....

Collie D

As some one has pointed out McDowell's NI record should be the only one on his mind today. 18 majors is a fantasy IMO for anyone with the exception of Tiger. There are so many players around who can compete. Last 10 majors have been won by 10 different players - seven were first tme winners. Looking like 11/11 this weekend so by those stats you'd be looking at one win every three years so Rory would have to play into his 70s.

k.p.h

Thats exactly it. The numbers just don't add up. Realistically and statistically its almost impossible. It's OK to dream but the numbers never lie.

PARlance

In order to answer your question, could you please let me know the venues of the majors for the next 20 years. I've almost complete my formula and can input final data when these are supplied.

Anyone got a 20 year weather forecast too? Would like to factor this into the equation... I'm just working on premise that it'll be a little hotter than it is at present but would like to get it a bit more accurate

:rolleyes:

JerryHandbag

Tiger is the perfect example. Jack Nicklaus himself said he was gonna win more majors than Nicklaus AND Palmer combined. And yet here we are after his decade or more of dominance in the majors and he's still 4 short, and no longer is the clear favourite going into majors.

So many quality players now from all corners of the world. If Rory gets into double figures by end of his career I think it would be a phenomenal achievement.

So to sum up, I think he's gonna win more majors than Tiger & Nicklaus combined

Melion

I wouldnt be surprised if he didnt win this one, let alone beating Nicklaus' record

Cybercubed

Padraig Harrington was also saying the same thing as the OP yesturday!!

L.O.F.T

Gnobe wrote: »

So Rory is on the verge on dismantling the US Open this year. He's sure to win.

But if he does, how many more can he win??

He's being compared a lot to Tiger Woods of 2000/01, he should be on at least 2 majors this year, maybe can he win the rest if he keeps this form up?

He's probably looking at a 20 year career. So if he averages one a year with his talent (and now the monkey off his back) with little competition, can he break Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 majors (or Tigers)?

Can he go down as the greatest Irish/British sportsman of all time??

Nuts102 wrote: »

Im too hungover to put up a picture of a facepalm.

I'll do it for you Nuts102:

bigtimecharlie

One step at a time. When he has won one major, he will have the monkey off his back.

His general touranment play will need to improve so that contending will become second nature to him. I feel that sometimes he gives up when not in the hunt and just goes with the flow. His putting has improved but tonight will be his biggest test.

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

Melion wrote: »

I wouldnt be surprised if he didnt win this one, let alone beating Nicklaus' record

same here, i wouldn't be shocked. 10/1 on paddy-power that he doesn't win it, not a bad bet. hedge your bets if you have to watch another blowup, augusta was awful TV on a hangover

amacachi

georgiecasey wrote: »

same here, i wouldn't be shocked. 10/1 on paddy-power that he doesn't win it, not a bad bet. hedge your bets if you have to watch another blowup, augusta was awful TV on a hangover

It's only 13/2 the field on PP.

sky88

dont think so people seem to be forgetting he hasnt won that much tournments for the talent he has

Nuri Sahin

This thread needs more facepalm / implied facepalm pics -_-

Oblomov

LOL facepalm is about right.

What ever aspiration you may have for the player, McIlroy has to overcome the most basic, playing under enormous pressure.

Anyone who follows golf will know that today's heroes are tomorrows forgotten stars.

Faldo, perfect example, winner extre ordinaire but... what did happen? too many or too much PR work sponsors demands, it all detracts from the game.

The pressures of the game, the mental attitude and the sponsors all contribute to the perfect or imperfect result.

The demands on the players time was not as adverse to a game plane as today. Jack Nicholas had a different playing structure, less appearances, less pro-am competitions, less being sold to a wider public.

It's almost impossible to compare the two, Nicholas had the time and space, McIllroy has the pressure and commitment to his sponsors.

If McIllroy wins today it could be the first step, but as the Confucius adage, a journey of a thousand miles, starts with one small step.

Good luck for today and the future

Flanders536

El LoCo Ade wrote: »

This thread needs more facepalm / implied facepalm pics -_-

Oblomov

Magill

Oblomov wrote: »

LOL facepalm is about right.

What ever aspiration you may have for the player, McIlroy has to overcome the most basic, playing under enormous pressure.

Anyone who follows golf will know that today's heroes are tomorrows forgotten stars.

Faldo, perfect example, winner extre ordinaire but... what did happen? too many or too much PR work sponsors demands, it all detracts from the game.

The pressures of the game, the mental attitude and the sponsors all contribute to the perfect or imperfect result.

The demands on the players time was not as adverse to a game plane as today. Jack Nicholas had a different playing structure, less appearances, less pro-am competitions, less being sold to a wider public.

It's almost impossible to compare the two, Nicholas had the time and space, McIllroy has the pressure and commitment to his sponsors.

If McIllroy wins today it could be the first step, but as the Confucius adage, a journey of a thousand miles, starts with one small step.

Good luck for today and the future

Well said.

SharpshooterTom

Well as already said both Gmac and Paddy have already stated this possibility too now, so....

Sandwlch

A bit of simple analysis shows he will probably win about 25 majors.

He is the best golfer there or on the horizon for the next ten years. Thats a basic major per year. Most likely also that he will win a second one every other year, and a third one in only one of those (I am being causciously conservative here). That gives him 16 majors by age 32. For the next 5 years it depends on what level of new competition comes on the scene, but a major a year would be a safe bet. Thats 21 and he has beaten Jack at that stage. I do think his career from a majors winning aspect will go on until his early 40s but fear his severe shoulder turn and loose swing will not be sustainable and he will either change it, and suffer, or continue with it but with injury problems. So more likely to win only 2 majors out of three years.

So hard not to see him ending up with 24 to 26 majors. A few more if he has a golden year and does do a grand slam, or there is no really strong young contender for the years through his middle 30s.

Please reference this post in about 20 years.

Oblomov

Ohh Sandwhich,

That's omly if the status quo remains the same. If the ideal weather condition, if the same playing companions, if the........tooo many if's and all cast aside to comply with a forecost that would have Nostradamus reeling.

Let's see what the results are on Monday morning, then forecast the next and work cautiously towards any record breaking score

LOL

SharpshooterTom

Does anyone have any odds on him breaking JN's record?

I would bet well into 3 figures with it, just that it would mean I'm waiting for 20 years to collect my winnings.

M cebee

tiger was cruising towards the record til he came unstuck

lets wait and see monday

i hope he does it

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

can mods just delete this thread?

SharpshooterTom

georgiecasey wrote: »

can mods just delete this thread?

Even though this suggested was made by both Gmac and Paddy yesturday as said, so not a ludicrous claim.

It would be interesting to see how many more he could add by the end of this year.

Nuri Sahin

Gnobe wrote: »

Does anyone have any odds on him breaking JN's record?

I would bet well into 3 figures with it, just that it would mean I'm waiting for 20 years to collect my winnings.

If you do, upload a screenshot of said bet be it here and/or the gambling forum

Collie D

Gnobe wrote: »

Even though this suggested was made by both Gmac and Paddy yesturday as said, so not a ludicrous claim.

It would be interesting to see how many more he could add by the end of this year.

Pele once said an African nation would win World Cup by 2010.

Scientists used to think the earth was flat.

mr.mickels

Records are there to be broken.
C'MON RORY

nocal

Gnobe wrote: »

Well as already said both Gmac and Paddy have already stated this possibility too now, so....

Just saw Rory's reaction to being asked about this - it was mentioned to him that Padraig Harrington had said Rory was the man who was going to break Jack's record. Rory said "oh Paddy, Paddy, Paddy" and put his palm in his face.

He then said that these things mean nothing until they happen. Definitely time to close this thread and throw away the key.

mr.mickels

nocal wrote: »

Definitely time to close this thread and throw away the key.

Why so serious?

PhilipMarlowe

nocal wrote: »

Definitely time to close this thread and throw away the key.

You're right there Ted...