Player backs McIlroy to become second non-American to win career Grand Slam

Nine-time Major winner Gary Player is confident that Northern Irish golf ace Rory McIlroy would follow him as only the second non-American to win a career Grand Slam.

Player, who was speaking ahead of his Gary Player Invitational Europe at Wentworth this week, said that watching McIlroy on the weekend has left him in no doubt that he would be the next player to join his exclusive club.

The Invitational Europe at Wentworth forms part of his global series of charitable tournaments and has drawn a world-class field including Rickie Fowler, who finished second in the Open at Royal Liverpool, Sport24 reported.

Still the only non-American to have won the career Grand Slam of all four Majors, Player said that McIlroy is not just a great golfer but also a wonderful young man, adding that the Northern Irishman is well behaved and he just cannot praise him enough.

Player said that McIlroy has now won three of the four Majors and he feels that he would be the next man to win the Grand Slam.

American to win a career Grand Slam, that South African golf is still in a healthy state, and that the distance modern golf balls travel remains a threat to the game.

Still the only non-American to have won the career Grand Slam of all four Majors, Player said that watching McIlroy on the weekend has left him in no doubt that he will be the next player to join this exclusive club.

Player would also be delighted to see McIlroy support his Gary Player Invitational tournament in South Africa at the end of the year, as well as the Nedbank Golf Challenge.

Player said that they are hoping that they get great fields for both these tournaments at Sun City, and he feels that they have a lot to look forward to.