If Rory matches seven-in-a-row, Monty will be first to shake his hand

Rory McIlroy is now halfway towards matching Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight Order of Merit titles on the European Tour.

After collecting his fourth Harry Vardon Trophy this year, following previous successes in 2012, 2014 and 2015, the Northern Irishman admitted that Monty’s tally is in his sights.

But, for the Scot, there is one record he is convinced McIlroy won’t be able to prise away from him.

That is his magnificent seven successive Order of Merits Monty collected from 1993 to 1999 when he reigned supreme as Europe’s top dog.

“Everyone feels threatened by Rory,” Montgomerie told The Sunday Post. “If there is one person who will get to eight, it’s him.

“But I have a trophy at home that was presented to me by (former European Tour chief executive) Ken Schofield, with all the dates on it from 1993 to 1999.

“On top of this crystal ball, it says: ‘A record that will forever remain unique.’ Those are words that mean an awful lot to me.

“I know what I had to do to achieve those seven-in-a-row, in terms of consistency and staying healthy.

“So I’d be very surprised if anyone could do that again. If they did, I would be the first person to shake their hand.

“Rory’s 33 now, so he would be nearly 40 if he were to win the Order of Merit for the next seven years, and that is a big ask.

“But he’s probably got another four in him, without a doubt.”

McIlroy will end the year as the No. 1 golfer on the planet after finishing on top in both the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup and in Europe.

There were three victories and nine other top-fives in a year in which he showed remarkable consistency.

But the search for his fifth Major will go into a ninth year after a string of near-misses, most notably at The 150th Open at St Andrews.

Despite that, Montgomerie could only marvel at Rory’s golf, and is convinced that the Major wait will not go on for another 12 months.

“There’s no doubt that Rory is the best player in the world,” he said. “That was the case for much of the season, even before he officially regained the No.1 spot.

“If you put the 10 best players in the world together on a fair course – and they all played their best golf – Rory would win.

“That next Major is only a matter of time, and we’d love him to get that Grand Slam at Augusta.

“You think of St Andrews when he was four ahead of Cameron Smith and level with Viktor Hovland going into the last round.

“Then Smith shoots a 64 and holes putts from everywhere. That can happen.

“And it’s why winning Majors is so difficult. There are only four each year, and it’s getting harder because these young guys now are fearless, and can put four good rounds together.

“But, if I were a betting man, I would expect Rory to pick up one of the four next year.”

As well as shining on the course, McIlroy has led the fight against Greg Norman and the rebel LIV Golf tour.

The World No. 1 has passionately defended golf’s traditions against the rise of this Saudi Arabia-backed enterprise.

The Saudi newcomers have pumped millions into the game, but most of that cash has gone straight into the bank accounts of very wealthy golfers.

The arrival of LIV has divided the game in two, but Montgomerie is clear on which side he is on.

“Rory has been the spokesperson for just about every tour that is not LIV, and he’s done a remarkable job,” added Montgomerie.

“He’s such a good orator. He puts his view across so well and I agree with everything he’s said.

“And it says an awful lot about him as a person – and we’ve got Tiger Woods in the same vein – to do so much to promote the PGA Tour, and the DP World Tour and help their fellow pros.

“As for what happens next with LIV, I don’t know the answer. If I did, I’d be flying between the US and Europe to try to find a solution.

“The problem is the gap seems to be getting wider.

“Billions of dollars are coming into the game of golf. It’s a shame it has not been used in the right way to help the grassroots. It has just paid wealthy golfers even more money.

“Imagine if just a tenth of that money went to the golf foundation, or was split between the US states and their golf programmes, golf in inner cities or schools, taking golf to India or China.

“That would be growing the game, rather than giving it to individuals.

“That feeds the idea that none of us likes, that golf is just a rich man’s game.”

Colin Montgomerie is ambassador for bunkered Golf Breaks. To discover more of his course recommendations, visit bunkeredgolfbreaks.com