The celebrations for Rory McIlroy's second consecutive Masters victory are surely still in full swing. By edging out Scottie Scheffler by a single shot at Augusta National, McIlroy not only retained the green jacket but also solidified his legendary status with a sixth major title, having completed the career Grand Slam in dramatic fashion the previous year.

This latest triumph has reignited the debate: where does Rory McIlroy now rank among the all-time European greats? The question was put directly to two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal at the Senior PGA Championship.

When asked if McIlroy had surpassed every other European player, Olazabal offered a measured perspective. "Well, I think Rory has still a long ways to go. I don't think he's going to finish here," the Spaniard stated, implying McIlroy's career is far from over and his legacy is still being written.

Olazabal also hesitated to anoint any single player, including McIlroy, as the clear, dominant number one in the current game. He pointed to the incredible depth and parity at the sport's pinnacle. "I don't see one single player dominating the game like some other players have done in the past," he explained.

He used Scheffler's near-comeback at The Masters as proof, noting how a single putt on the 17th hole could have changed the entire outcome. "The difference between the players of that caliber is so small these days... at any given moment any little bounce here or there might change the outcome."

In Olazabal's view, the top of men's golf features a small, elite group of three to five players who trade momentum throughout the season, making sustained dominance exceptionally difficult. While acknowledging McIlroy's phenomenal achievements, the Spanish legend's comments highlight the fierce competition that defines today's tour and suggests the title of "greatest ever" is a complex conversation still in progress.