Sport

McIlroy makes it an Open and shut case

Golf: This time there were no mistake as Rory McIlroy destroyed a top-quality field and set new records to become the 111th …

Rory McIlroy savours the moment after clinching the US Open with a record-breaking 16-under-par total, eight clear of his nearest rival. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Rory McIlroy savours the moment after clinching the US Open with a record-breaking 16-under-par total, eight clear of his nearest rival. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
PHILIP REID at Congressional County Club
Mon Jun 20 2011 - 01:00

Golf:This time there were no mistake as Rory McIlroy destroyed a top-quality field and set new records to become the 111th US Open champion at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda.

Bidding to become the championship’s youngest winner since American Bobby Jones in 1923, the 22-year-old strolled on to the first tee with a pep in his step. After the first swish of his favoured three-wood, he strutted the fairway, to a chorus: “Go Irish!” “Rory Go Bragh!” Only in America, really. To his credit, McIlroy responded with more magic.

He birdied the first and fourth as he stretched his eight-stroke lead over playing companion YE Yang. McIlroy – who’d enjoyed breakfast with his father Gerry, manager Chandler and player handler Stuart Cage talking of racing and not a word of golf – got into his stride on a humid afternoon.

“Let them catch you buddy,” came the catchphrase from the galleries but McIlroy didn’t acknowledge. He remained focused. His outward nine of two-under-par 34 left him 16 under overall as the field faded into the background. On the back nine, he bogied the 12th and 17th but was never in any danger.

READ MORE

“It’s pretty cool,” said four-times major champion Phil Mickelson after signing off with a level-par 71. “You can tell that Rory has had this type of talent . . . to see him putting it together is pretty neat to see.”

McIlroy’s father, Gerry, stayed calmer. “You have to stay calm till the whole thing is over, I’m sure it’ll be great if it all works out.”

And it did, in style, with a long putt on the 18th within inches of the hole for the Northern Irishman to finish 16 under, eight shots ahead and setting and tying 12 records. To roars of approval, the new champion walked from the 18th and embraced his dad. “Happy Father’s Day.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny congratulated McIlroy on an "oustanding" achievement. 

"Rory McIlroy's victory in the US Open was both emphatic and inspiring," he said.

"Rory led from the front and his record breaking victory stands as one of the great achievement in any sport. I'm sure this will be the first of many major golfing achievements Rory will attain in what I'm sure will be a long and stellar career."