Rory McIlroy is likely to be the next David Beckham ----Irish golf sensation will go global with US Open win
By: Sean O'Shea | Published Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 2:44 PM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:27 PM
Golfing sensation Rory McIlroy will be the biggest sports story of 2011 in my opinion.
He seems certain to dominate world golf after he secures what looks like an inevitable win in the US Open on Sunday where he is 8 shots ahead heading into the final round.
Make no mistake, the mop headed McIlroy with his cheeky grin and bouncy walk is a huge marketing commodity—quite likely the equivalent of David Beckham in marketing terms.
The fact that he seems an overall good guy with an ‘Aw shucks' Huck Finn persona and recently did UN relief work in Haiti as an Irish goodwill ambassador there marks him out as someone very special in the self-engrossed world of big time sport.
In a world of cookie cutter golfers he has the personality and charm and poise to become a global sports star.
Rory McIlroy may be the greatest golfer on the planet for the next decade or so.
Tiger Woods looks in permanent decline and McIlroy has that star quality that very few of the top golfers today have.
He may also be the next David Beckham, the biggest commodity in world sports for many years.
Beckham parlayed a mediocre career into a multi million dollar marketing bonanza.
McIlroy has far more talent and the future looks even brighter.
A win tonight will set the stage.
10 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.sham1977 | Jun 20, 2011, 03:21 PM EDT
@Orlando723.Yep, I noticed that too - thought it wasn't a nice thing to do - you never throw any country's flag to the ground!!! I didn't have a problem with him before (and probably won't in the future) but, I will watch him to see how he behaves from now on...........
Orlando723 | Jun 20, 2011, 12:19 PM EDT
Nice how he threw the Irish Flag handed to him on the ground on national TV. He's an Englishman to be sure.
FranktheYank | Jun 20, 2011, 12:13 PM EDT
If Rory's place of birth makes him an Englishman, what does that make Daniel O'Connell born on the same island ruled by the British government, and who sat as a member of the British Parliament?
hyattsville | Jun 20, 2011, 09:44 AM EDT
Awesome Northern Irish golfer, great sportsman and gallant loser when needs be. McIlory played a fabulous US Open obviously. He is always a joy to watch as he is never predictable unlike some of the hicks who comment on this site. You can always rely on them to make puerile and tedious comments on someones ‘Irishness’ as they see it through their narrowest of visions! What an embarrassing lot to have to share ethnicity with.
JBRAFTREE | Jun 20, 2011, 07:09 AM EDT
Say what you want about him, The Little Brit is a helava golfer.
dcdeirdre | Jun 19, 2011, 08:48 PM EDT
Brilliant win. Fabulous Northern Irish sportsman and always a joy to watch and this quibbling over Irish v's English nonsense is tedious and puerile. Congrats Rory. I've been glued to the Open since Thursday and am delighted for your win.
irishelvis | Jun 19, 2011, 07:44 PM EDT
He is an amazing young fellow....he shud be around for many years to come...I really sppechless at tha moment, of his persona an calmness, he is a piece a work this young IRISH kid.....thanks
burlington | Jun 19, 2011, 05:36 PM EDT
correct jamcelt...turned down Irish Passport in favour of a UK passport
dcdeirdre | Jun 19, 2011, 02:29 PM EDT
Oh give over Jamcelt, you're being a crashing bore. McIlroy is a joy to watch. A superb sportsman and, when needs be, a gallant loser. Bring it home to Co. Down Rory, I've been stuck to the screen since Thursday. Great great golfing.
Jamcelt | Jun 19, 2011, 11:43 AM EDT
One more time- he does not consider himself Irish. Ignore him.