Jaime Diaz says whether Rory McIlroy is now higher than Phil Mickelson in the all-time rankings after Masters victory

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Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory will be talked about for an awfully long time, and not just because of the drama which unfolded.

Of course, the 2025 Masters will go down as one of the most entertaining ever. Rarely has a player hit so many world-class and amateur shots in the final round of a major championship.

However, what’s also so important about last week at Augusta National is that McIlroy made history by becoming only the sixth man to complete the Grand Slam.

This has obviously impacted his legacy greatly, while it also changes where he ranks compared to other legend of the game.

• READ MORE: Kyle Porter makes statement about Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth which he is ‘scared’ to say after The Masters finishes

Jaime Diaz picks between Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson

McIlroy has always been considered one of the most talented players ever, but he didn’t have the accomplishments, especially in majors, to match.

In one week, every criticism of McIlroy’s major record has seemingly vanished as he joined an elite list of players to have won all four, including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

Many pundits have debated where he now stands in the all-time rankings, and Jaime Diaz is the latest to share his opinion.

He suggested that he’s the greatest European golfer, ahead of Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros, and also ahead of Phil Mickelson.

“If you look at the top three players all time – most people would say Jack, Tiger and [Ben] Hogan – they all won the Grand Slam,” he said. “Tiger and Jack won it three times each actually. You had [Gene] Sarazen and [Gary] Player. Sarazen is probably not in the top 10.

“But I think Rory, with 29 victories on the PGA Tour, 19 on the European Tour and two Players. You’ve got to give him the nod… It’s hard to say it, but honestly, if Rory stopped playing tomorrow, I think I’d rank him ahead of Seve and Faldo, and Mickelson as well.

“The hard one to pass would be Byron Nelson, who’s kind of the anomaly with five majors, but he was such an all-time great and his level was so high, perhaps the highest ever in some ways, with the 11 straight and 18 wins in 1945.

“But, again, Rory is really formidable now with that Grand Slam. The thing about it, sentimentally, is you favour the guys of the past. Rory’s got way more to play, perhaps even better golf. Who knows? He might be in that period where he’s actually put it all together and can relax and really go on a run.”

Rory McIlroy’s vs Phil Mickelson’s careers by numbers

One week ago, most people wouldn’t have even entertained this debate between McIlroy and Mickelson.

Now, Mickelson still has one more major championship, but the Northern Irishman’s career Grand Slam achievement has changed things.

Only six players in golfing history have won all four majors, so it’s a real trump card for McIlroy in these types of conversations.

Plus, it’s not all about that – the 35-year-old has achieved so much else, from 29 PGA Tour victories to 122 weeks at world number one.

If McIlroy’s not already ahead of Mickelson, it’s fair to assume that he will be by the time he retires, with plenty more winning on the cards.