I think he got very lucky to win that tournament. He knows he got lucky.”  Scoffing nonchalantly at a historic moment is not for everyone, but Michael Bamberger seems to do so in style. He is talking about Rory McIlroy‘s career-defining victory at Augusta earlier this year. You know, the one where he joined an exclusive list of six people to have ever achieved the coveted Career Grand Slam. But Bamberger wasn’t just throwing words for the sake of it. He had his reason.

“When you’re talking about going on a tear, you’re talking about being Big Jack [Nicklaus] in his prime, Ben Hogan in his prime, Tiger [Woods] in his prime—where you’re way better than the field. You are demonstrably better than the field. He is not demonstrably better than the field.” The veteran writer added. While Bamberger sees this as a lucky break, some personalities see this differently. Chief among these was CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz. Nantz was full of praise for Rory McIlroy’s performance and subsequent triumph while talking on the latest 5 Clubs episode ahead of the PGA Championship.

Jim Nantz defends Rory McIlroy

“That is to me the most freeing experience I have ever seen any athlete go through, what he did at Augusta.” The CBS broadcaster stated. The Masters has evaded McIlroy for a long time. The Northern Irish star was poised brilliantly during the 2011 edition, holding a four-stroke lead heading to the last round, a better position than in 2025. However, he let it slip, carding an unfortunate 8 over par on the final day, which is still remembered as one of the biggest chokes in golf history.

That incident is what makes his achievement at Augusta this year, shine even brighter. “And the way he won it, lost it, won it again, lost it and won it again actually made the story even richer. Made him even more of a hero. Because he kept showing everybody how you could come back from the depths.” Nantz explained. McIlroy started day 4 with a double bogey, causing a tie with Bryson DeChambeau. Not the start he would have wanted.

However, he kept working and went five strokes ahead of Bryson DeChambeau by the tenth hole. The two-time PGA Championship winner then proceeded to card a double bogey on the 13th hole, leading to a tense face-off with a fast-improving Justin Rose. McIlroy had a final chance to win it at the last hole and bottled it by carding an unfortunate bogey. But from the depths of despair, hope came. The playoff proved to be the answer McIlroy was looking for since 2011.

“I think he is in great shape for the rest of his career to be honest. He doesn’t have to do anything the rest of his career and he has sealed his place in the history of the game.” The commentator further added. The Masters was a big obstacle that he had finally overcome. Having achieved almost everything else in the world of professional golf, McIlroy only has one way to go now, which is up.

But not everyone is going to be giving the Northern Irish golfer leeway after his Masters win.

Padraig Harrington believes McIlroy can go further

There is no relaxation for McIlroy despite getting his name in some rare groups. At least, former Irish pro Padraig Harrington does not think so. “We’re gonna talk about whether he can beat Nick Faldo’s record—the 6 Majors. We’re gonna talk whether he can get to 10 Majors. And guess what? We’re gonna talk about whether he can get to 15 Majors. And then we’re gonna talk about whether he can get to 18 Majors.” The former PGA Tour pro stated.

McIlroy is far from his prime. He is only 36 and has already achieved what very few golfers have dreamt of. And the best part is, his game has the tendency to be stable despite the pangs of age. “And the beauty for Rory is his game is future-proofed. He’s not a guy who gets injured. He is extremely powerful. So, it doesn’t matter.” Harrington explained.

Either way, the golfing world needs to see more of Rory McIlroy and titles in the same frame. Jim Nantz and Padraig Harrington thinks so. What do you think?