JACK NICKLAUS HAS played down the hype surrounding Rory McIlroy ahead of this week’s Open Championship, insisting one Major win does not a superstar make.
McIlroy has seen the plaudits come thick and fast ever since his magnificent US Open win at Congressional last month, but the 71-year-old golfing legend Nicklaus thinks that judgement should be reserved for the time being.
“Don’t anoint him the crown prince just yet,” Nicklaus told BBC Radio 5 live. “He has only just won his first Major.
“When he wins two, three or four you can say this is the guy to watch.”
Although keen to relieve the pressure on McIlroy’s young shoulders, Nicklaus was then very quick to pile the pressure on McIlroy’s young shoulders by insisting he’ll win more Majors, and lots of them.
“I think Rory will win many majors. He is a very talented player,” added the 71-year-old American.
“Good gracious, if you look back over the past year, realistically he could have won the Masters and the US Open.
“Last year he could have won the Open. He is a talented young man who we are going to see on the scene for a very long time.”
