Gary Player is one of the greatest golfers to have ever graced the game.

Player won an incredible 159 tournaments worldwide throughout his career, including nine major championships.

The 90-year-old has become one of the most outspoken figures in the game since he stopped playing competitively.

Gary Player is often found criticising some of the biggest PGA Tour stars of the modern era.

However, he does reserve special praise for a very select few.

And one of the modern greats received Player’s backing more than a decade ago now.

Rory McIlroy is an exceptional talent, and he has arguably been the best and most consistent golfer over the past 15 years.

The 36-year-old has 30 PGA Tour wins and 21 DP World Tour victories to his name, including six major championships.

Player named the Northern Irishman when asked by AQ back in 2015 which golfer he enjoys watching play the most.

Of course, since those comments, McIlroy has won two more majors, with both of those victories coming at Augusta National.

The 36-year-old Northern Irishman also became only the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam in 2025, joining Player, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods in the ultra-exclusive club.

The challenge now for McIlroy will be to continue winning regularly on the PGA Tour and of course, to increase his major championship haul.

By doing that, he will cement his legacy as one of the greatest golfers ever to have lived.

Gary Player is definitely ahead of Rory McIlroy on the all-time greats list right now.

However, would anyone back against the two-time Masters champion overtaking the South African by the time he’s done playing?