Gary Player recently shared a bold comparison between the careers of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.

In a clip posted by the Vanity Index Podcast on Instagram, golf legend Gary Player was asked who he thinks is most equipped to complete the career Grand Slam next.

During the podcast, Player drew a sharp distinction between current rankings and historical milestones.

"Scottie Scheffler, he is the best golfer in the world today," Gary Player said. "I'd rather have Rory McIlroy's record than Scheffler at the moment."

Player is one of only six golfers in history to complete the career Grand Slam.

Rory McIlroy completed his career Grand Slam by winning the 2025 Masters Tournament. He then successfully defended the title in 2026, finishing at 12-under and beating Scottie Scheffler by one shot. McIlroy has now won all four major championships in his career. Scheffler has not done that yet, as he still needs one more major to complete it.

"I think Scheffler will end up winning the Grand Slam," Player said. "He's a wonderful golfer. So I think he's probably the next one to do it."

McIlroy vs Scheffler: What the Major Record Actually Shows

McIlroy has won all four major championships during his career: the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, the PGA Championship, and now back-to-back Masters titles in 2025 and 2026. That gives him six majors in total and a complete set.

Scheffler is the World No. 1 and finished runner-up at the 2026 Masters. He is one major short of completing the Grand Slam. His dominance from week to week is undeniable. His major record, by McIlroy's standard, still has one box left unchecked.

He did not say Scottie Scheffler is not good enough. In fact, Player clearly said Scheffler is the best golfer in the world right now.

Player emphasized that McIlroy's completed Grand Slam sets him apart from Scheffler.

Gary Player also praised McIlroy’s dedication to fitness after his 2026 Masters Tournament win. In a post on X, Player said McIlroy’s commitment to strength and conditioning was impressive. He also credited McIlroy’s putting as a key reason behind the victory.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav