Rory McIlroy: A 25-year career should be enough for me

Jack Nicklaus won his final major, the 1986 Masters, at the age of 46.

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy may be retired from professional golf for three years when he hits that age. Speaking to the BBC, the four-time major winner said he’s looking at a career that ends in his early 40s.

“I don’t anticipate playing senior golf or championship golf,” McIlroy said.

“Twenty-five years should be enough to help me achieve what I want to,” he added. “If there comes a time when I feel I can’t win or give it my best I’d very happily hang up the sticks and do something else.”

Doing the math, McIlroy, who turned pro at 18, would walk away from the game at 43. So, with some 14 years left, what does the Ulsterman hope to achieve?

“I feel like I’m in a generation with a lot of young guys that are coming up and I want to be the best of this generation,” said McIlroy.

What it’ll take to solidify that moniker is still unclear, and will be for years, but McIlroy is willing to do what it takes.

“I want to win a lot more tournaments; I can win a lot more majors,” he said. “I haven’t put a number on it because I don’t want to put that burden on myself. I just want to be better than everyone else.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow @RyanBallengee

Devil Ball Golf – Golf – Yahoo Sports