This is arguably Rory McIlroy's most successful season to date. Chasing a fourth Grand Slam title and completing a career Grand Slam is an extremely difficult task, full of challenges and obstacles. In the end, the Northern Irish golfer lifted a huge weight off his shoulders and achieved the success he had been dreaming of for years. In addition, the 36-year-old won the Race to Dubai, now just one title behind Colin Montgomerie at the top of the all-time list.
Already, some are drawing parallels between Rory McIlroy and the most successful European golfers, wondering who the best European golfer of all time is.
Paul McGinley shared his opinion on Sky Sports Golf, saying that he believes Rory is the best European golfer of all time.
No question. In my mind, no question. The fact that hes a grand slam winner I think moves him ahead of the fact that Nick Faldo has won a major more than he has.
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To be the complete player and sit every one of the four exams of the majors and deal with the pressure of getting over the line with the fourth, a number of guys, great players, have got to three of the four majors and then the pressure of trying to win the last one has been just too hard for them to surmount.
Mental toughness
He particularly highlighted Rory McIlroy's mental toughness, who did not give up despite enduring years of heavy criticism. McGinley went so far as to consider Rory McIlroy one of the greatest athletes we have ever seen in any sport.
It seems like this year has been a dream year for the Northern Irishman, who will have a much easier job in the future and will probably play better without the pressure he has felt for years.
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That's why we'll be eagerly awaiting the next season, eager to see how much Rory can achieve, but also what other big names on the golf scene can really do.
