Roaring McIlroy

Once upon a time there was Tiger Woods who was the world number one and whenever anyone comes a-challenging, they are probably saying to themselves that they will try for second best. Oh, how the high and mighty has fallen. We are not used to the name being touted as world no. 15 are we? But then again, Tiger may not be feeling all the pressures he had faced previously. He still has the money. I mean in life, it is either we build ourselves up with all the hype or others will do their bidding for you.






2011 US Open at Congressional 72nd Hole: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UHklhhske4



Then along came a precocious talent, a fresh face Northern Irish lad (think George Best in nationality and soccer?) with wild curly locks looking no more than the kid who delivers your pizza or the kid next door taking the world by storm. The most important thing to take note here is Rory had just suffered a final round collapse at the Masters and he followed it up with probably the most dominating performances in the historuy of the US Open. He hit 62 out of 72 greens (the best record since they started keeping stats), made a lone bogey and a double bogey in 65 holes.

He had rewritten the golf books setting scoring records for 36, 54 and 72 holes with a final 16 under and 268 and the frightening things was he could have scored lower. Once when Tiger got 12 under par no one else was better than 3 over. In 16 rounds of major championship, McIlroy avergaed 69.43 strokes. In the last ten US Open winners, the combined under par is 16 which was what McIlroy shot this time. While Tiger Woods can be abrasive even in victory, McIlroy captured the hearts of both media and fans simply because he was not aloof. It was reported that while waiting for his interview, he used his cell phone to snap a picture of the trophy and smiling said that he had to twit it as he had waited all week. Endearing (Think Lionel Messi in humility and soccer).





McIlroy has become the youngest to win the event since 1923 when Booby Jones did it and younger than Jack Nicklaus when he won the first of 18 majors. Former champion Mike O'Meara who is a good friend of Tiger and used to play with Tiger said some years back when I think McIlroy only 18-19: "Rory is better than Tiger was at the same age".








While we can feel for Tiger, we welcome Rory. In whatever spheres we are in, every generation will have their own heroes! Just give everyone a chance. McIlroy is roaring. Let us hope that he remains humble and not be tainted by the world of scandals.

Rory! Rory! Rory!

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