McIlroy family celebrate Rory's success

Colin McIlroy was left to reflect on an “exciting and emotional” night after watching his nephew Rory claim his first major title at the US Open.

The 22-year-old Northern Irishman romped to an eight-shot victory at Congressional Country Club, setting a record for the lowest tournament score as he finished his 72 holes on 16 under par.

Colin McIlroy watched the Ulsterman’s success at Holywood Golf Club, where Rory was first introduced to the game, and told BBC Five Live: “It was very good, it was exciting and emotional.

“It was a great night, the place was buzzing and it is incredible what he has done.

“When he birdied the first everyone stood up, everyone went wild and it was a great start for him. I knew he had settled well and it was going to be his major.”

But he admitted he had been nervous that Rory may suffer a repeat of his Masters heartache, where a final round lead of four shots slipped away.

He added: “I was extremely nervous, it’s in the back of your mind that it could be another Masters situation. But he took the Masters thing on the chin and was better prepared, more mentally focused and his control on the course has been very good.”

McIlroy’s success was the second US Open win in succession by a Northern Irishman, following Graeme McDowell’s victory at Pebble Beach last year.

And Colin says it is an astonishing achievement for the nation.

“To have Graeme McDowell last year as well, it’s incredible for such a small country to have back-to-back US Open winners,” he said.

He also revealed that the family were keenly aware of Rory’s golfing ability from an early age.

“We always knew from when he was a young child,” he said.

“I was bar manager at Holywood Golf Club and he was taken up here from an early age and he would hit balls up and down the fairway.

“He struck everything in the middle and he wanted to play all the time, his dad could not leave him at home.

“Things like the under-10’s championships and any Irish honours came straight away in everything he played, we always knew he would be good.”

McIlroy’s former headmaster at Sullivan Upper School also hailed his ex-student’s ability to learn from his experiences.

John Stevenson said: “I think the talent is a given with Rory,” he said. “The question mark has been about his attitude and maybe his character, but he has two tremendous attributes.

“This boy really learns, this is what the golfing fraternity had not fully understood about him, every experience he has he builds into that golf computer in his brain and he learnt from the Masters.

“On top of that he has got steely determination. He is a young guy, he looks good and he is friendly but don’t underestimate the attitude he brings to his game. He showed it in spades at the US Open.”