Holywood ending for majestic McIlroy

WITH each remarkable stroke, with each record-setting performance, Ireland’s Rory McIlroy marched into golf history last night.

As US Open records fell before him, the Holywood, Co Down, talent was steadiness personified as he decimated the best golfers in the world to secure his first major at the Congressional course in Washington, DC.

McIlroy was Barcelona in a three-button shirt all week — brilliant in attack and brilliant in defence. And after celebrating Father’s Day on the 18th green with his dad Gerry, he admitted he’d matured fast after his last day meltdown at Augusta National.

“At Augusta, it was all a little bit new to me, going into the final round with the lead,” he said. “It was a very valuable experience, I knew what I needed to do today. There I learned a few things about myself and my game.”

No one had ever blown more than a five-shot lead at the US Open. No one has ever lost any major when leading by more than six shots going into the final round, and McIlroy was in no mood to make the wrong kind of history in Washington, DC yesterday.

“The whole week has been incredible, I’m so happy to be holding this trophy,” McIlroy said afterwards. “I was trying to go out there and emulate what Tiger did in 2000. After making two on No 10, the most difficult hole on the course, I knew it was mine to lose.”

Defending champion Graeme McDowell added: “You run out of superlatives to describe what he’s done. He’s decimating a field. He’s the best player I’ve ever seen.”

His performance has been so inspiring that comparisons to Tiger Woods’ record-setting romp at Pebble Beach in 2000 gave way to questions whether McIlroy ultimately would be the one to challenge Jack Nicklaus and his 18 majors. The Golden Bear joined the chorus of applause last night declaring: “Pressure is what you live for... if you are going to be successful in life, you’re going to have pressure.”

“What is he, 22-years-old? If you are going to talk about someone challenging Jack’s record, there’s your man,” Pádraig Harrington said.

McIlroy’s final day nerves lasted as long as it took him to birdie the first hole. And by the close of business, he was presiding over a US Open procession — eight shots clear of the field on sixteen under par.

“If he wasn’t in the field, we’d be talking about a pretty tight US Open,” said Jeff Hall, part of the team setting up the golf course.

Another of the world’s stellar young talents, Jason Day, shook his head in bewilderment.

“The way he’s played, it’s almost Tigeresque. It’s pretty ridiculous, and at such a young age.”