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Alan Shipnuck picks who is the better golfer out of Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson, ‘It’s not close’
TL;DR
Alan Shipnuck asserts that Rory McIlroy is a significantly better golfer than Phil Mickelson, especially following McIlroy's recent success at the Masters. This comparison highlights the differences in their careers and achievements.
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The author of Rory McIlroy’s latest biography, Alan Shipnuck, has compared the 2026 Masters champion with Phil Mickelson.
Shipnuck was asked on social media whether McIlroy was now a greater golfer than Mickelson after his latest success at Augusta National.
The writer then claimed there was a significant gap between the two all-time greats for a few different reasons.
Alan Shipnuck rates Rory McIlroy higher than Phil Mickelson
McIlroy’s second consecutive victory at the Masters means he has tied Mickelson with six major championships in his career.
While Mickelson has won an extra Green Jacket, he has not completed the career Grand Slam after failing to win the US Open.
Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images
Shipnuck argued this was a key reason Mickelson falls a long way short of McIlroy in the rankings of the greatest players ever.
He also highlighted the LIV golfer’s inability to reach the world number one position or to earn the most money in a PGA Tour season.
“Amazingly, I still have affection for Phil,” Shipnuck tweeted. “But he never won a money title, never got to number one, never won around the world, and famously couldn’t win a US Open. Rory [is better than] Phil, and it’s not close.”
Shipnuck’s stance suggests McIlroy is in his top 10 golfers ever – a momentous achievement with many more years ahead of him.
In another post, the author questioned whether McIlroy’s most recent victory was the best of his two-decade-long career.
“Was this Rory’s most impressive major championship win? Never had his A-game, but chipped and putted and managed his way into the lead,” Shipnuck wrote.
“Then never panicked when he lost the lead. Then, when the jacket was there for the taking, he started flushing it. Mature and workmanlike.”
However, McIlroy’s most impressive major win would surely be the 2011 US Open at Congressional Country Club, where he won by eight strokes.
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Q&A
What reasons did Alan Shipnuck give for considering Rory McIlroy a better golfer than Phil Mickelson?
Alan Shipnuck cited several factors, including McIlroy's recent success at the Masters and overall career achievements, to argue that there is a significant gap between the two golfers.
When did Rory McIlroy win the Masters championship?
Rory McIlroy won the Masters championship in 2026.
How does Rory McIlroy's career compare to Phil Mickelson's according to recent discussions?
Recent discussions suggest that McIlroy's achievements and recent victories place him ahead of Mickelson in terms of overall golfing greatness.
