Rory McIlroy’s Masters win felt so joyous in many ways but it appears even members of the media might have got too excited with events at Augusta last weekend.
McIlroy’s dramatic win in the playoff over Justin Rose saw him finally grab the green jacket and complete a memorable career grand slam.
Much has been said of McIlroy’s performance since then and all week, he’s been the big news in golf.
However, while all of us witnessed what happened on the course and in the press conferences afterwards, Brandel Chamblee has now revealed what happened inside the actual press box as McIlroy rolled in his putt to win.
What members of the press did when Rory McIlroy won The Masters
Brandel Chamblee is often one of the most interesting voices to listen to in golf and he had a front row seat for the action at Augusta.
Indeed, speaking on his new The Favourite Chamblee podcast, he explained how when McIlroy finally won, there were jubilant scenes inside the press box, something which goes against the norm.
“He’s one of the most compelling figures, but one of the most, I think, intelligent, thoughtful, sincere, easy-to-get-behind figures in the history of the game. And the whole world was pulling for him like he was their son,” Chamblee commented.
“So, I know that there’s not supposed to be any cheering in the press box, but the whole press box was cheering.
“They…literally…the whole press box and all of golf was cheering for him.”
How Brandel Chamblee ranks Rory McIlroy in the greatest of all time debate
Picking the best ever golfers is subjective and while the familiar names of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus will always be at the top end, the rest is harder to decide.
When it comes to Rory McIlroy, there is a definite argument to say he’s top ten of all time, while some will argue he’s not there yet.
Indeed, Chamblee believes McIlroy is still below Phil Mickelson, if he were to pick right now in terms of careers.
“Right now, top 20. That top 10 is so accomplished. You’re talking about 50 wins and seven majors. And Rory’s 35, he’s got 29 wins and five majors. There are things that certainly add and elevate his stature, four times he’s won the Vardon Trophy. Mind you, Jack would have won the Vardon Trophy nine times if he ever played enough rounds to qualify. But Jack would have won it nine times. Tiger won it nine times. I think there’s only one other person who would have won it as many times. So four times he’s won the Vardon Trophy,” Chamblee said this week.
| McIlroy | Mickelson | |
| Majors won | 5 | 3 |
| PGA Tour wins | 29 | 29 |
“And he’s won globally. He’s very popular. But I would put Phil in the top 15 of all-time. Phil’s got six majors and 45 wins. But I wouldn’t put Phil in the top 10 of all-time. Some do and I’m like, well you’re not properly digging in and understanding the history of the game if you’re putting Phil in the top 10 of all-time. He’s somewhere 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and Rory’s somewhere 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th in my view.”
McIlroy certainly has time on his side to overcome Mickelson on this list in the future and if he carries on in the form he’s in right now, there’s ever chance he becomes one of the very best ever.
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