Holywood hero always a champion in the making

WHEN Pádraig Harrington added the 2008 US PGA Championship to the British Opens of ‘07 and ‘08 many felt a wonderful era for Irish golf had reached its zenith.

How wrong they were.

Graeme McDowell held off the game’s greats to win last year’s US Open at Pebble Beach by a single shot. His victory contained all the varying elements of drama, excitement and unbelievable nervous tension. Now, Rory McIlroy has emulated that achievement but done so in totally contrasting fashion as he decimated the field at Congressional and defied all predictions and expectations with the quality of his ball striking and scoring.