As one of only six players to complete the career Grand Slam, Rory McIlroy is clearly one of the greatest golfers of all time. But could he have done as well playing at any time?
It’s one of those fun hypotheticals, but it’s also a dumb one. Like when people wonder how LeBron James (the newest celebrity golfer!) would do against the likes of Bob Cousy and Bill Russell. Hint: He’d do just fine.
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And that’s obviously the case for McIlroy. Even if the equipment these guys play today looks completely different to the primitive tools used by Bobby Jones and Gene Sarazen. McIlroy proved this on Tuesday ahead of the Genesis Scottish Open after being given a beautiful looking persimmon driver—and custom-made headcover—as a gift for finishing off the Grand Slam at the Masters.
The reigning Masters champ promptly smoked a tee shot with the wooden club and then declared, “I could have played in any era.” And we don’t blame him for feeling himself after this one. Have a look:
It’s a bold statement, but it’s also an obviously true one. That was an absolute missile. And if you can hit a golf ball on the center of the face like this all-time great can, than it doesn’t matter what club you’re using.
Heck, Rory should put that bad boy in his bag this week just to prove a point. Although, people betting on him probably wouldn’t love that.
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