Rory McIlroy completed his amazing 70-day transformation from Masters meltdown to major marvel by winning the US Open by a dream-like eight shots over Australian Jason Day.
The wonder kid from Holywood in Belfast delivered the golfing equivalent of a Hollywood blockbuster, setting record after record at Congressional as he kept the trophy not just in European, but Northern Irish hands.
More than that, he became at 22 the second youngest European major winner of all time – and the youngest since 1872, the year Young Tom Morris captured his fourth and final Open at 21. He died three years later.
“The whole week has been incredible – I could not have asked for any more and I am so happy to hold this trophy,” he said.
“For such a small nation to win two US Opens in a row is pretty special. As Graeme (McDowell) said last year, there will be a lot of pints of Guinness going down.
“I know a few of my friends will be partying and I can’t wait to get home and join them.”
On his recovery from The Masters he added: “Augusta was a valuable experience. I knew what I needed to do today to win. I learnt a few things there about myself and my game.
“I put a few different things into practice and it paid off.”
