McIlroy set for hero's return

Rory McIlroy is set to enjoy a hero’s return to Holywood, the Co Down town where his US Open dream began.

The youngest US Open champion for 88 years is expected to be welcomed home with an open-top bus parade and thousands lining the route.

Family and friends of the 22-year-old sporting sensation, who rose from humble beginnings as the son of a barman to conquer one of the world’s greatest golfing competitions, have been celebrating his victory at Holywood Golf Club.

As revellers recovered from one of the happiest hangovers of their lives, they looked forward to his return later this week and declared that this was only the beginning for the star, who they remember as a child who swung plastic clubs and dreamt of greatness.

His uncle Colm McIlroy sprayed champagne over the 18th tee at Holywood and said: “The pressure he was under was immense, the way he won it – he just took the whole field out basically, won by eight shots, broke all US Open records, the rest of them were just spectators.”

Golfing legend Gary Player said he would win the sport’s grand slam, capturing all four majors.

“I am so excited about this young man, having done something that is quite incredible, not only for himself but for his friends and his mother and his father and also for the great country of Ireland,” he said.

Today the Holywood club was full of schoolchildren competing in their sports day. Local bakers have made special cup cakes and there is a picture of the youthful golfer in many shop windows.

He first visited the club as an infant where he knocked a plastic ball around the lounge. This week he returns as a champion.

McIlroy’s father Gerry worked long hours behind the bar at the club to raise enough money to give his son the best coaching possible. From an early age he was chipping plastic balls into his mother’s washing machine and when he graduated to the lush fairways of Holywood he played up to three rounds a day.

He also had an all-weather surface in the back garden of his modest semi-detached home which he used to practise, with a high fence to shield the mercurial youth from curious eyes.

His eight-shot victory, after compatriot Graeme McDowell‘s triumph in the same competition last year, sparked calls for the Open Championship to return to the North.

Mr McIlroy added: “Graeme McDowell winning it last year and Rory winning it this year, for a wee country like this, it’s incredible. The things that will do for youth golf will be unbelievable, it will give us such a lift.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron said: “He’s an incredible talent and clearly has a very exciting career ahead of him.”

McIlroy romped to a stunning victory at the Congressional Country Club in Maryland.

He crumbled on the last day of the US Masters this year when he was on the cusp of victory, but he emphatically made up for that last night by setting a record for the US Open’s lowest tournament score.

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

“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,” John Stevenson said.