Former Rory McIlroy ally: If Nick Faldo has one, he should definitely have one

Rory McIlroy's former agent Chubby Chandler says the 2025 Masters champion deserves a knighthood.

Telegraph Sport have reported the Northern Irishman is in line for the honour after his triumph at Augusta National on Sunday. 

King Charles was quick to pay tribute to McIlroy after he defeated Justin Rose in a playoff, describing his victory as 'historic'. 

It is understood that there will be no issues in handing McIlroy the honour despite the fact he is still competing. 

Sir Andy Murray and Sir Mo Farah were both knighted before they retired. Sir Lewis Hamilton is still racing. 

"I'd say for certain Rory McIlroy will be offered a knighthood," Chandler said. "If Nick Faldo has one, Rory should definitely have one.

"You've got to say Rory is the best sportsman in Britain right now, out of anybody. I can't think of anyone who'd be close to him."

"He's got 10 years left of prime golf in him"

McIlroy is now unburdened given he has ended an 11-year wait for a major championship victory. 

Just how many majors can he win before he retires? And when will that day arrive?

Chandler thinks McIlroy has 10 years left at the very top. 

"Fancy that you've won all four majors and still got 10 years of your best golf to come," he said. 

"It's amazing, and he might just win much more than he has done already.

"He's not metronomic like Tiger Woods was. Everyone had the wrong idea of Tiger. 

"Everybody thought that he played cavalier golf. He never played cavalier golf. Rory plays cavalier golf.

"To hit that shot on 15 with a 70-yard hook, and you've already messed up, you've got no saliva in your mouth, and he hits that shot under the cosh. That's what people want to watch. 

"They didn't want to watch Woods go plotting his way around and winning like that, he never went to a flag and whatever."

So if McIlroy isn't like Tiger in his pomp, who does he compare to?

Chandler believes it's the late, great Seve Ballesteros. 

"Seve was a wonderful shot maker and Rory just hits unbelievable golf shots," he said.  

"That makes him a crowd-pleaser, doesn't it? Why was Seve a crowd-pleaser? 

"Because he could hit it in the rough and come out with these great shots, and that's what Rory has done this week.

"He hits some amazing shots, and believe me, he is a better player than anybody else. 

"It's not down to his chipping, not down to anything. He's just a better player."

"I don't think he can become the greatest ever"

McIlroy is indisputably an all-time great now. 

Perhaps the best European?

But Chandler does not believe McIlroy will come close to being compared to Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus. 

"I don't think he can [become the greatest ever]," he said. 

"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 Ballesteros and Faldo - he'd be the best European of all-time now.

"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."

Only Rory can stop himself winning at Royal Portrush

McIlroy will head to Royal Portrush for The Open Championship in July as a green jacket winner. 

He missed the cut the last time golf's oldest major was played in his native homeland. 

Chandler believes the only person that will stop him from winning the claret jug is himself. 

"You'd like to think he'd have a good chance," Chandler said. "But imagine the circus around him there. Jeepers creepers. 

"You wouldn't know how much the handbrake has been lifted off him."

Chandler was speaking to Sportsbook Review.