Golf News - Rory McIlroy wins U.S. Open
Last updated 6/22/2011 7:16:54 PM
Golf News - Rory McIlroy wins U.S. Open
Rory McIlroy conquered not only one of the world's toughest golf courses and beat the best the world can offer but also won over the American audience.
The fresh faced Northern Ireland boy, who looks more like 15 than 22, set numerous records as he blasted out four unmatched rounds before offering the cup to his watching dad for father's day.
At the moment he is unspoiled, a refreshing breath of fresh air with remarkable skills and temperament and looks to experts as though he could go on to match the feats of the likes of Tiger Woods.
No one had a bad word to say about him and that is rare in these days of over critical analysis by every level of the jaded media.
Even Colin Montgomery gushed when he had every right to be bitter never having won a Masters while this young upstart has one in the bag already and will be looking for lots more. Incidentally Colin is an outstanding summariser who brings the complications of a very difficult game down to the level of someone like myself.
He completed a remarkable four days on Sunday to clinch his first major title with an incredible eight-shot victory in the US Open.
McIlroy became the youngest US Open champion since Bobby Jones in 1923 and the youngest major winner since Tiger Woods triumphed at the Masters in 1997.
The 22-year-old broke a host of scoring records and shot a final-round 69 to end 16 under par at Congressional with Australian Jason Day (68) second and Lee Westwood (70) tied in third alongside Yang Yong-Eun (71) of South Korea and Americans Kevin Chappell (66) and Robert Garrigus (70).
He murdered the course and on his was:
Quickest to reach -10 (after 26 holes)
First to go lower than -12
First player to reach -17
Lowest 36-hole total of 131
Equals biggest 36-hole lead of six shots set by Tiger Woods in 2000
Lowest 54-hole total of 199
Lowest 72-hole total of 268
In the process McIlroy banished memories of his Masters meltdown, when he blew a four-shot lead going into the final day, and marched to a first major title at only his 10th attempt as a professional.
He led from start to finish, carding 65, 66, 68, 69 to post a tournament record total of 16-under 268, four better than the previous mark.
His rivals could only watch and wonder, waiting for a collapse before finally accepting that this one hell of a young golfer playing untouchable golf.
He became the quickest player in the 111-year history of the US Open to reach 10 under par (after 26 holes), the first player to go beyond 12 under, reaching as much as 17 under on Sunday, and also recorded the best 36 and 54-hole totals.
He also becomes the second successive Northern Irishman to win the US Open after Graeme McDowell triumphed at Pebble Beach last year and the third major champion after Fred Daly won the Open in 1947. A remarkable achievement for such a small island.
He is also the 11th different major winner in a row and the eighth of those 11 to be clinching their first major title. For the first time in history there have been no American winners in five successive majors.
"The whole week has been incredible - I could not have asked for any more and I am so happy to hold this trophy," said McIlroy, who rises to number four in the world rankings thanks to his win.
"For such a small nation to win two US Opens in a row is pretty special. As Graeme [McDowell] said last year, there will be a lot of pints of Guinness going down.
"I know a few of my friends will be partying and I can't wait to get home and join them."
During the presentation ceremony McIlroy shouted across to his father Gerry: "Happy Father's Day - this one's for you.
"I have to mention my mum too. Everything they have done for me I can't thank them enough."
McIlroy's humbling of the field - and the supposedly tough 7,574-yard Blue Course, albeit softened by recent rain - evoked memories of Woods, who was 21 when he won the 1997 Masters by 12 shots to capture the first of his 14 major titles. He did, however, fall short of Woods's record 15-stroke victory when winning the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2000.
"I know how good Tiger was in 2000 to win by 15 in Pebble. I was trying to go out there and emulate him in some way," McIlroy added.
With an eight-shot lead going into the final round, McIlroy showed few signs of nerves and settled himself when he opened with a birdie, stretching his lead to 10 shots, with another at the fourth to get to 17 under.
He birdied the short 10th after hitting his tee shot to six inches and made only his second bogey of the week after driving into sand on the 12th.
Like Woods at his best, McIlroy made a number of crucial putts for par to keep up the momentum but he was really competing in his own tournament. He got back to 17 under with another birdie at the long 16th but, with the title in his pocket, he leaked his first three-putt of the week on the 17th to drop a shot. A safe par at the last gave him the fourth highest winning margin in US Open history.
"Unbelievable," said Gerry McIlroy. "With what's happened over the last couple of months, and to come back and do this, it's fantastic. After the Masters, he worked so hard. It's fantastic. You couldn't beat it."