Rory resets sights on third Major
Capturing last year’s US Open had quickly buried the demons of his Masters meltdown but question marks were being raised following his commanding Congressional performance whether McIlroy had the class to become a multiple Major champion.
He did that in wonderful style, strolling carefree down the final fairway of the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island as though he was playing in a Sunday afternoon medal match at Holywood Golf Club.
McIlroy took off his cap to acknowledge the applause, and while he could have easily finished bogey, double bogey or triple bogey, the new world No 1 joined the ‘Multiple Majors Club’ in true style by holing out for birdie to seal victory in the 94th PGA Championship.
“There has been a lot of things that have changed in my life, and that I’ve had to handle and [learn] how to handle the right way since winning the US Open,” he said.
“To find the balance I feel like I’ve been doing that pretty well.
“One of the biggest things I found was learning to deal with the scrutiny. It was the first time I have ever had to deal with that so that was something I had to learn and will learn to live with for the rest of my career probably.
“It is all part of what we do and if I am getting scrutinised like that it means I am doing something right. I don’t mind.”
However, amid the intense scrutiny over the break-up of his relationship with Holly Sweeney and the commencement of his romance with tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki, there was the downturn in his golf.
McIlroy was finding himself under ever-increasing expectation to virtually win in every tournament he teed it up in, and more so in the Majors.
“It’s true they were heightened since Congressional and I was getting frustrated as I was trying hard living up to them. I came here with a different frame of mind this week, just to enjoy it and see what happens.
“And this is what happened.”
While McIlroy is coping his best with the increasing fame bestowed on him, he noticeably struggled with lifting the 27lb Wanamaker Trophy.
In being handed the trophy, McIlroy first had to rest the trophy on his knee before finally raising the gleaming symbol of PGA Championship glory above his head.
“I have to say while it’s nice to get my hands on the Wanamaker Trophy it is heavy,” said McIlroy smiling.
“I couldn’t believe how heavy it was. So, I really couldn’t hold it for that long, and I got pretty tired, and felt my back starting to go.”
It was close to 9pm when McIlroy finally completed his series of championship-winning media and official commitments, returning to rented premises with his proud father, Gerry.
Just as proud was Horizons Sports’ Conor Ridge, who was also among the first to congratulate McIlroy.
“Boy, the company’s come a long way from the Challenge Tour haven’t we?” said Ridge.
Yesterday’s schedule included a photo shoot with sponsors Oakley on the Ocean Course before the new champion caught up with his girlfriend, who is competing in an event in Cincinnati.
However, unlike the joyful reunion with his many friends and supporters at Holywood last June, Ridge hinted it could be after the Ryder Cup in early October before McIlroy returns home with his newest item of silverware.
But while those at home will have to wait, McIlroy is already counting the days to next April’s Masters.
“I am already looking at winning my third Major,” he said.
“It’s not a case of trying to emulate anyone or try to match anyone. I have got my second now, which feels unbelievable, and I am going to enjoy it and I will be working towards my third and hopefully when I get that I will be working towards my fourth and so on.
“But looking back on the Majors this year it has turned out to be a huge learning year, and to cap it off with a Major victory, I couldn’t have asked for any more.
“It has turned already a good season — with winning the Honda and getting back to world No 1 — into a phenomenal season.”
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