Rory McIlroy has cemented his place in golfing history after clinching victory at the Players Championship last weekend.
The Northern Irishman defeated JJ Spaun in a play-off at Sawgrass to claim the £4.5million top prize.
This triumph saw McIlroy become only the second player in history, after Tiger Woods, to surpass the $100m mark for PGA Tour earnings.
Despite not playing his best golf throughout the tournament, McIlroy still managed to get the job done when it mattered most.
Brad Faxon, McIlroy's putting coach, believes the golfer is following in Tiger Woods' footsteps by becoming a more savvy player as his career progresses.
"He is a complete player now," said the former world No. 11. "You look at the greatest players ever, like Jack [Nicklaus] and Tiger, as they got older, they were better and smarter players."
Faxon suggests McIlroy's evolution mirrors that of the all-time greats who developed greater versatility with age.
This transformation has allowed McIlroy to overcome challenges that might have derailed him earlier in his career.
"When Rory was younger, he won by driving the ball so much better than everyone else," Faxon explained.
"But [here, he] had a poor driving day in round one, he had a poor putting round on Saturday, and he still got it done.
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"The point is that Rory can now do it in many different ways and that is lost when it comes to people saying that Rory is one-dimensional."
McIlroy himself acknowledged his development as a player since his last major victory over a decade ago.
"I feel like I'm a way more complete player than I was a few years ago," said McIlroy.
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"I am confident that I can play in all conditions and perform well in anything that comes my way."
McIlroy highlighted a specific moment that demonstrated his improved versatility.
"That little nine-iron into 17 well, I said to [my caddie] Harry [Diamond], 'that little shot will take us a long way'."
McIlroy has now won two PGA Tour events in 2025, following his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February.
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The Players Championship win didn't come easily, as McIlroy held a comfortable lead during the final round before surrendering it to Spaun.
This forced a three-hole play-off on Monday.
Once play resumed, McIlroy dominated as Spaun found the rough on the 16th and the water on the 17th.
McIlroy will now look to carry this momentum into the Masters at Augusta next month.
Find Out More...
The Northern Irishman defeated JJ Spaun in a play-off at Sawgrass to claim the £4.5million top prize.
This triumph saw McIlroy become only the second player in history, after Tiger Woods, to surpass the $100m mark for PGA Tour earnings.
Despite not playing his best golf throughout the tournament, McIlroy still managed to get the job done when it mattered most.
Brad Faxon, McIlroy's putting coach, believes the golfer is following in Tiger Woods' footsteps by becoming a more savvy player as his career progresses.
"He is a complete player now," said the former world No. 11. "You look at the greatest players ever, like Jack [Nicklaus] and Tiger, as they got older, they were better and smarter players."
Faxon suggests McIlroy's evolution mirrors that of the all-time greats who developed greater versatility with age.
This transformation has allowed McIlroy to overcome challenges that might have derailed him earlier in his career.
"When Rory was younger, he won by driving the ball so much better than everyone else," Faxon explained.
"But [here, he] had a poor driving day in round one, he had a poor putting round on Saturday, and he still got it done.
JUST IN: Jake Paul lists three reasons why he could knock Anthony Joshua
"The point is that Rory can now do it in many different ways and that is lost when it comes to people saying that Rory is one-dimensional."
McIlroy himself acknowledged his development as a player since his last major victory over a decade ago.
"I feel like I'm a way more complete player than I was a few years ago," said McIlroy.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen faces F1 ban ahead of Chinese Grand Prix - alongside another driver
"I am confident that I can play in all conditions and perform well in anything that comes my way."
McIlroy highlighted a specific moment that demonstrated his improved versatility.
"That little nine-iron into 17 well, I said to [my caddie] Harry [Diamond], 'that little shot will take us a long way'."
McIlroy has now won two PGA Tour events in 2025, following his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February.
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The Players Championship win didn't come easily, as McIlroy held a comfortable lead during the final round before surrendering it to Spaun.
This forced a three-hole play-off on Monday.
Once play resumed, McIlroy dominated as Spaun found the rough on the 16th and the water on the 17th.
McIlroy will now look to carry this momentum into the Masters at Augusta next month.
Find Out More...