Rory McIlroy receives encouragement from top players for winning first major the
US Open
Players from the top rankings as well as from across the world came out to laud Rory McIlroy’s eye-popping performance to clinch his first major title, The US Open at Congressional Country Club in Maryland.
The 22-year-old wreaked havoc in the field with his record breaking 16-under, 268, setting the lowest score ever in the US Open. McIlroy’s 72-hole score turned out to be the lowest after 272 made by Jack Nicklaus in 1980, Lee Janzen 1993, Tiger Woods in
2000, and Jim Furyk in 2003.
He was the first player ever to pull in double-digit scores through the halfway mark and the youngest to win a major after Tiger Woods in 1997.
The top players from across the world, more or less, were pitched in for the second spot in all four days of the tournament and after McIlroy’s eight-shot lead through 54 holes, it was pretty much obvious that he would run away with the title this year.
World number three, Martin Kaymer, the reigning PGA Championship winner, had another disappointing major bid when he had to close the event with a three-over, tied for the 39th.
"The way he plays golf, it’s a different golf,” said Kaymer. "It’s close to perfect. If you are the champion of the United States, it’s quite impressive and to be the second Irish.”
Kaymer, however, expressed his concern over the quality of the course for this year’s US Open and hinted that the course played a lot softer than the usual US Open venues which are considered to be the toughest for the game. But he also, at the same time,
acknowledged McIlroy’s overwhelming lead which showed the true mettle of the player.
Graeme McDowell, who was the defending champion this week, was the first one to walk to the young country mate, throwing him a warming hug for his success.
"Nothing this kid does ever surprises me," McDowell said. "He's the best player I've ever seen."
And for many who would consider McDowell’s statement as biased for being his countryman, the “Golden Bear” of the sport, Jack Nicklaus, himself came out to congratulate McIlroy on his stunning success.
"I didn't think it was going to happen again, and it hasn't," Nicklaus said by telephone to NBC Sports. "I think this kid's going to have a great career."
McIlroy grew up watching Tiger Woods set records after another and wished to meet him on the course one day at the US Open. Woods was not able to play the 111th US Open, but did manage to send his goodwill message to McIlroy.
"What a performance from start to finish," Woods wrote on his twitter account. "Enjoy the win. Well done."
McIlroy has now moved to number four in the world rankings.
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