The old adage goes that it's tough at the top—but try telling that to a Rory McIlroy who's high on confidence after climbing to the top of golf's rankings for the ninth time in his career.
The Northern Irishman is almost a decade removed from his last major title, but 2022 was nonetheless a hugely successful year after he topped the DP World Tour rankings (soon to be renamed the 'Race to Dubai') for the fourth time. That's in addition to finishing among the top 10 in each of the four major championships for the first time in his career, meaning McIlroy has no issue advertising himself as the best of his class.
“Yes. I'm playing well. I feel like, consistency-wise, I've been as good as I have been ever in my career," replied the 33-year-old when asked if he felt he was the world's top player right now. “I said at the end of last year, I feel like as complete of a player as I ever have.
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"If you just look at my statistical categories, there's no real glaring weaknesses there. I've worked really hard on that, to try to become a more well-rounded player. I think the results speak for themselves, as well, over not just the past six months but really the past 18 months post- Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. I feel like I've been on a really good run of form since then.”
That good form already looks as though it's persisted in 2023, with McIlroy edging out LIV rebel Patrick Reed to win the Dubai Desert Classic in late January. While it may not yield the same reward as one of golf's 'Big Four', the plaudits from his peers and a £1.2million reward are fine consolation.
All eyes will be on McIlroy as he hopes to finally complete the Grand Slam this year, adding a green jacket to his collection after finishing second to Scottie Scheffler at the Masters in 2022. That club remains highly exclusive as things stand, with Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and close friend Tiger Woods the only golfers to date who have won all four majors.
The County Down native went on to say golf necessitates an 'eternal optimist mentality in order to believe one's best days aren't behind them. McIlroy hasn't won a major since lifting his second PGA Championship in 2014, yet he's confident there are many highlights still to come.
“I've won 30 times around the world as a professional," he continued. "There's no reason that I can't double that number going forward. I truly believe that. Who knows whenever you've peaked or not peaked?
“I'm guilty of looking back to 2014 and thinking about how I played then, and are there certain things from that time in my career I'd want to put into my own career at the minute, but when I look at everything and I look at the statistical categories, I don't feel like I've ever been as complete of a player as I am right now."
