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Unbelievable McIlroy 'will win at least 10 majors'

Rory McIlroy and Chubby Chandler were once very close © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy's former manager believes the Northern Irishman will go on to win at least 10 majors over the course of his career.

McIlroy raised eyebrows late last year over his decision to part company with International Sports Management, the agency run by former player Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler that had represented the Holywood golfer every since he turned professional as a 17-year-old.

The split was reported as acrimonious in some quarters, but Chandler is grateful for the chance he had to work with "an unbelievable talent" and believes McIlroy will go on to cement his place as one of the greatest golfers ever.

'We had four-and-a-half years of helping to nurture an unbelievable talent," Chandler told the Daily Mail. "And, with our without ISM, Rory will become a great player.

"He will go on to win 10 majors, maybe more."

McIlroy made his major breakthrough at last year's US Open while still represented by ISM, just months after blowing a glorious chance to win The Masters at Augusta National.

Yet, while Chandler admits that experience was "strange" to watch, McIlroy's meltdown opened the way for another ISM client, Charl Schwartzel, to come through the field and steal the green jacket.

"It was a wonderful day when Charl won. He joined us when he was 17 and it was just incredible to think back and remember that," Chandler added. "We were all a bit jumpy that Sunday morning, but Charl was very calm.

"I told him this was his chance to get into contention and just hang in there. Then, blow me, he chips in on the first and holes a wedge on the third and he's right in it.

"Now I believe he will win multiple majors."

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