Nicklaus backs McIlroy to win more majors: “This will take the world off his shoulders”

Masters champion and Honorary Starter Jack Nicklaus smiles on the No. 1 tee prior to the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Jack Nicklaus believes Rory McIlroy will go on to even greater success after taking the weight of the “world off his shoulders” with his epic Masters win.

McIlroy joined 18-time major champion Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Tiger Woods in the grand slam club.

Nicklaus, who is arguably the game’s greatest champion for his major record, watched the 89th Masters with incredulity but got up from the couch believing there’s lots more to come from McIlroy.

“I’ve never seen a tournament where I’ve seen so many good shots and so many bad shots and so many changes of this and that,” the Golden Bear said.

“I’m delighted for Rory. I know that he’s had a lot of pressure on him. He’s had the world on his shoulders. That was wonderful to see him win.

“When he had to make a shot, he made it. You look at the shot at 15 – the shot at 17 – just remarkable shots…

“And then he turns right around and hits a shot like he hit at 13, and I’m sitting there saying, ‘What are you doing?’...the first time around on No. 18, I told Barbara, ‘I don’t think he’s going to make this putt.’...this will take the world off his shoulders and I think you’ll see a lot more great golf out of Rory McIlroy.”

McIlroy made his fourth double bogey of the week at the 13th and Nicklaus could not believe what he was seeing as the Holywood star played safe in two before dumping a wedge from inside 90 yards into Rae’s Creek.

“I thought it was the right play,” Nicklaus told NBC’s ‘Live From’ programme. “The only way to lose the tournament was to put the ball in the water and do something dumb. He waited one more shot to do that. I thought it was the right shot because he should have made 4 ½ - four or five and that’s fine.

“I couldn’t figure out why some of the shots that were played were played, but it takes a really talented player to win with some of the shots that he hit.

“Four double bogeys (for the week) and to win the golf tournament is incredible, the talent he has is enormous.”

Pundit Paul McGinley reckons McIlroy will go on now to win more majors and even dared to dream of a McIlroy Slam this year.

“I loved the competitive nature and how it was all unfolding, and the bounce back that he showed,” the Dubliner said.

“That’s what sport is about. As much as you are emotionally attached to someone winning, you also want to see how they’re going to deal with the pressure and the situation, and I think we got a lot of answers about the character of Rory McIlroy today.

“The human element of it was huge for me today...when you’re out there, you’re beating yourself up when you make a mistake...the character he showed to reset and hit the big shots when he needed them.”

McIlroy has reinvented himself as a golfer over the past few years, strengthening his weaknesses, especially the mental game.

“I think it’s a different Rory,” McGinley said. “I think it’s an evolution of Rory. There is mental resilience there that might not have been there.

“He’s got strategies, he digs deep, and he can win when he’s not right on it...he’s on a path to maybe win more. Now that he’s climbed Everest, does he lose a little bit? When you reach something you’ve desired so much, you kind of soften...but I don’t think so. I think he’s going to keep going.

“I’ve said if he’ll win one major, he’ll win three or four. I don’t think he’s done winning majors this year. He’s got some great chances to add to it – maybe a double, a triple, or maybe even a Grand Slam this year? How about that?”