Rory McIlroy produced what Padraig Harrington described as a lap of honor to secure his first Major on a dramatic final day at the US Open on Sunday.
The 22-year-old from Holywood in County Down secured his nomination as the new Tiger Woods as he smashed records galore en route to an eight shot victory at Congressional.
Harrington described McIlroy’s final round 69 as a ‘lap of honor’.
“People talk about Tiger Woods smashing the Jack Nicklaus record for the most Majors but we have just the man who is going to do it win his first Major,” claimed Harrington as McIlroy stamped his authority on the world golf stage.
Just months after a final day collapse at the Augusta Masters, the Ulster youngster showed he is ready for the greatest challenges golf can throw at him.
He didn’t just protect his Saturday lead this time, he actually built on it as the best golfers in the business failed to even threaten his maiden major.
“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 as America hailed its new champion and the trophy stayed in Northern Ireland after Graeme McDowell’s 2010 win at Pebble Beach.
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“For such a small nation to win two US Opens in a row is pretty special. As Graeme 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.”
The Congressional win came just 70 days after McIlroy’s collapse at Augusta when a four shot third round lead was followed by a disastrous 80, leaving him 10 shots off the winning pace at the Masters.
“Augusta was a valuable experience. I knew what I needed to do today to win. I learnt a few things there about myself and my game,” insisted McIlroy.
“I put a few different things into practice and it paid off.”
The youngest US Open winner since the legendary Bobby Jones in 1923, McIlroy is also the second youngest European major winner of all time and the youngest since 1872 when Young Tom Morris captured his fourth and final Open at just 21.
McIlroy celebrated late into the night in Maryland with his proud father Gerry who walked every inch of the course for the four days that will go down in sporting history and golf folklore.
“Happy Father’s Day - this one’s for you,” shouted McIlroy at the presentation ceremony. “I have to mention my mum too - everything they have done for me I can’t thank them enough.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.citizen69 | Jun 21, 2011, 11:36 AM EDT
just to clear things up for danielledevine... McIlroy isn't forced to carry a British passport; citizens of Northern Ireland are entitled to hold an Irish or British passport, or indeed both. Rory is British & Irish (a unique birthright in N.I.) so both the British & Irish can be very proud of him. Keep politics out of sport. Rory is simply proud of where he comes from, who should have a problem with that?
Reaganella | Jun 21, 2011, 04:39 AM EDT
Rory is the US Open champion without equal and in his own right. One brave sportscaster in the US advised his colleagues to not be comparing him to the disgraced golfer or to any other golfer. So, don't.
Kilsally | Jun 21, 2011, 03:35 AM EDT
Both Rory Mc And Graeme McDowell fly the flag of Northern Ireland. The media and pundits are a great laugh - it similar in Scotland except worse. When a Scottish athlete wins they become British but when they lose they become Scottish. Here were have Southern Irish and English / British pundits claiming him...but it`s the Northern Ireland flag he chooses to fly not the Union flag or the Irish tri-colour.
bradybradyisaid | Jun 21, 2011, 12:21 AM EDT
Watching Rory, with my brother in Niagara Falls, made us both very proud. Our great grandparents, on both sides, were from Ireland. "The Emerald Isle." We, as many Irish, over here, in the States, feel a closeness with Rory. We are pulling for him, each and every tournament.
patrickclw | Jun 20, 2011, 07:42 PM EDT
Comparing Tiger Woods to Rory is the height of stupidity.Rory laughs, jokes , smiles and likes life and being Irish. is media friendly . Tiger Woods -that DOUR bore - give me a break.
Tschetter | Jun 20, 2011, 06:51 PM EDT
Prince Harry was born in England, Rory was born in Ireland...an Island on it's own.Fyi Butler one needs to go by boat or plane out of there. Congrats. to Rory regardless...
dublinguy | Jun 20, 2011, 05:54 PM EDT
harrington & woods will never win another major, harrington...mentally, woods physically, well done rory your a breath of fresh air & a pleasure to watch.
cillowen | Jun 20, 2011, 05:39 PM EDT
from a brit crazed unionist family - a ni rc zionist - one for all seasons. will make out like a bandit.
roibaird | Jun 20, 2011, 05:07 PM EDT
Northern Ireland has a population of 2650000 and has produced many world champions in various sports. but to produce two USA Open winners in successive years is out of this world and incidentally , to all you folk commenting on Rory's culture let me say this---------the fact that Rory's dad was shrouded in the Northern Ireland flag says it all ! Amen
cathy/marty | Jun 20, 2011, 04:29 PM EDT
YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF WHAT RORY DID AND NOT EVEN CONSIDER WOODS NAME. CONGRADULATIONS RORY. YOU ARE THE MAN TIGER WOODS IS AN AFTER THOUGHT
GeorgeDillon | Jun 20, 2011, 03:19 PM EDT
danieldevine: "a holder of a British passport because he has no choice!" This is new to me--people in the North of Ireland "have no choice" about holding a British passport? As far as I am concerned, McIlroy is welcome to hold a passport from Bolivia if he wishes to, but do please give us a little more information to back up your claim.
GeorgeDillon | Jun 20, 2011, 03:16 PM EDT
One has to congratulate McIlroy, but I also have to smile when I see the people from the 26 Counties claiming him as "Irish". He's no more Irish than Prince Harry or whoever it was that got married a couple of weeks back. Whenever there's anything bad involved, the people from the 26 Counties are quick to whine about "dem ones up dare" and claim that they are not of the same nationality. "I wish de nort cud be towed ou'n de Atlantic and sunk", is the empty cliche they come out with. But when one of dem ones frum de Nort is successful the Southerners start salivating to be associated with him. They're spineless skunks, if that's not a zoological impossibility.
danielledevine | Jun 20, 2011, 02:50 PM EDT
Congratulations Rory on an amazing accomplishment! And I would think that the nice Catholic boy from Northern Ireland would consider himself Irish but a holder of a British passport because he has no choice! It really doesn't matter...He just elevated the game of golf to something that hasn't been seen since the early career of Tiger!
gwen1980 | Jun 20, 2011, 01:01 PM EDT
Regardless of Rory being Irish or Northern Irish he is very good for the game of golf. I spent all weekend watching and enjoyed every minute. Please everyone forget the Politics and just enjoy this phenom at work, you will not see his like again in your lifetime
citizen69 | Jun 20, 2011, 12:28 PM EDT
Well said dermot.r and congratulations to Rory... We're all very proud of you!
DrTrelawney | Jun 20, 2011, 12:19 PM EDT
Butler's comment makes as much sense as saying "he's not Scottish; he's British".
dermot.r | Jun 20, 2011, 11:59 AM EDT
Dear butlerreport, I'm from the same county, and I am Irish. Anyone born on the island of Ireland is Irish. If Rory prefers to also describe himself as British, he can do so. Carrying a British passport in N.I. does not make him any less Irish. The flutist, James Galway, made his fortune being described as an Irish musician even though I suspect he carries only a British passport. The people of Northern Ireland are unique among the the peoples of the other western islands (aka British Isles) - we are 100% British and 100% Irish. Remember, only NI has the right to secede from the UK at the will of the majority of the people there. Currently, even England doesn't have this right!
butlerreport | Jun 20, 2011, 11:29 AM EDT
He's not Irish, he's British from Northern Ireland
PhlutiePhan | Jun 20, 2011, 10:40 AM EDT
The kid obviously has the talent. However, your previous story on Irish Central of how he "plunked down" 2 million dollars for a custom made car sends a warning message of irresponsibility.
FranktheYank | Jun 20, 2011, 10:38 AM EDT
Even though golf is not the same type of sport as so many other athletic contests, it does require a combination of skill and mental prowess that are among the most difficult pursuits in international sporting events. The physical conditioning that golfers like Woods and McIlroy have added to their skill, poise and powers of concentration have made them capable of great achievements such as Rory's tour de force completed yesterday. No one can help but like what they see of this young Irishman who needs to emulate what is admirable in Tiger and avoid all those licentious personal shortcomings that have made Woods a tragic figure. Rory's visits to the poor in Haiti have painted the picture of a young man who is determined to be a force for good with all of his newfound fame. It is a heart-warming image and a selfless example for a gifted sportsman to project to the millions who relished his victory on Father's Day. Well done, Rory, on the golf course and out in the real world!
DavyOMalley | Jun 20, 2011, 10:21 AM EDT
Congratulations, Rory!
hyattsville | Jun 20, 2011, 10:11 AM EDT
What a great sportsman, and gallant loser when needs be although I think that'll be happening less and less now! McIlory played a fabulous US Open obviously. He is always a joy to watch as he is never predictable. Terrific ambassador for Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the game of golf. Well done Rory!
walleyeman | Jun 20, 2011, 09:55 AM EDT
First congrats to Rory on an incredible victory. I was also very pleased how the American golf fans fully embraced this young man and his winning performance. He is a credit to his parents, Ireland and the game of golf.
cillowen | Jun 20, 2011, 09:51 AM EDT
cute phraseing harrington - a fader. Garcia shudda been up there - what a putting technique he's come to emply - like a deformed human. crazy crazy
cillowen | Jun 20, 2011, 09:41 AM EDT
Harrington ...... fading away.
hollabackgurl | Jun 20, 2011, 09:25 AM EDT
I was amazed by his talent. What an astonishing achievement!