Rory McIlroy’s former agent, Andrew ‘Chubby’ Chandler, believes only one person can prevent the Masters champion from adding more major titles at this summer’s Open at Royal Portrush—McIlroy himself.
According to Chandler, McIlroy’s historic win at Augusta National has “lifted the handbrake,” freeing him up for further success. However, he also predicts a “circus” atmosphere surrounding McIlroy at Royal Portrush, as the golfing star prepares for a highly anticipated homecoming following his career Grand Slam triumph.
“Only Rory himself can stop him from winning The Open at Royal Portrush,” Chandler told Sportsbook Review. “It’s the same thing. Massive hometown pressure.
“You’d like to think he’d have a good chance, but imagine the circus around him there. Jeepers creepers. You wouldn’t know how much the handbrake has been lifted off him.
“The problem was it was becoming a stigma about him missing a little putts in these Majors too. That one on the last didn’t need to be more than a couple feet longer than it would have been heart in mouth time again.”
Chandler believes McIlroy is poised to claim several more major titles but suggested that the current world No. 2 will ultimately fall just short of being regarded as the greatest of all time.
“You’d like to think Rory will win another five majors and you would like to think he would win the Masters again,” said Chandler. “The Masters, without all the pressure, is his actual golf tournament.
“I don’t think he can [become the greatest ever]. I don’t think he can win enough majors. To be the greatest of all time you need to win 15 to 20 majors. You’d put him alongside or maybe even ahead of Seve [Ballesteros] and [Nick] Faldo – he’d be the best European of all-time now.
“I might be wrong. Maybe he’ll become a serial winner but he’s always found winning difficult, even though he’s won so many tournaments, he’s always found it difficult.
“Rory’s got another 10 years. Five majors might be a bit under par but I’d be amazed if he doesn’t win another five more between now and then.”
