Rory McIlroy has Tiger Woods’ backing to complete Career Grand Slam

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods share a great friendship both on and off the golf course. While Woods has won all four major championships, McIlroy has missed out on just one major i.e., the Masters.

During the pre-tournament discussion, Woods was asked if McIlroy would complete a 'Career Grand Slam,' he confidently replied:

"He [McIlroy] will [complete the career Grand Slam], it's just a matter of time. Rory has the talent. He has the game. He has all the tools to win here. It's just a matter of time."

Speaking about Rory McIlroy's chances of winning the Masters, Woods said:

"A lot of things have to happen to win at this golf course. A lot of things have to go right. I think Rory has shown over the years he's learned how to play this golf course and you just have to how to play it."

Tiger Woods confidently stated that either this year or in the coming years Rory McIlroy would go on to win the Masters and complete his career Grand Slam.

"He [Rory McIlroy] has been there. Last year he made a great run, put himself there. I think that it's just a matter of time, whether it's this year or next or whenever it comes, he will get it done and he will have a career Grand Slam. It's just what year it will be - it will definitely happen."

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What is a Career Grand Slam and Who has won it till now?

The Career Grand Slam is an unofficial golf term designated for a player who has won all four major tournaments in a calendar year. Interestingly, only Bobby Jones has a career grand slam, and that too in the pre-masters era.

However, Tiger Woods did win four consecutive major titles but not in the same calendar year. In 2000, Woods won the U.S. Open, Open Championship, and PGA Championship, and later in 2001, he won the Masters Tournament. However, according to the definition, Woods missed out on the Grand Slam.

Woods with his fifth Masters title in 2019

But later on, many golf veterans and experts criticized the definition and came to the conclusion that if any player wins all four major tournaments throughout their career, it would be considered the modern Career Grand Slam.After Woods achieved this feat, a new term popped up in the golf fraternity i.e., Tiger Slam, which means winning all four major tournaments but not in the same year.

Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus are two golf legends who have won all four majors at least three times in their careers.

List of Career Grand Slam holders

• Bobby Jones - 1st Grand Slam holder
• Jack Nicklaus - 3 times
• Tiger Woods - 3 times
• Ben Hogan - 1 time
• Gary Player - 1 time
• Gene Sarazen - 1 time

It would be interesting to see how many more players from the modern era get inducted into this prestigious league in the coming years. Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler's names will be on top considering they are almost a step or two away from achieving this incredible feat.