The mark off a top quality sportsman is being known by just one name like Tiger, Ali, (The) Don, Sachin, etc.
At the age of just 22, Rory McIlroy is already well on his way to achieving that status. Not just for his golf, but for his personality and presence also.
His golf was out of this world over the 4 days – and I think he left 2 or 3 shots out on the course as well, as he eased off over the last 5 to 6 holes.
The emotion in his voice after he won and was asked about Augusta showed just how hard that experience must have hit him. He clearly must have learnt a lot from that day and the way he has put it behind him so quickly is amazing and testament to his remarkable character.
A score of -16 suggests the tournament organisers at the Congressional Country Club didn’t set the course up in the difficult way we are used to seeing (in the US Open they normally aim for the winner to be around the par mark), but to win by 8 shots shows just how dominant McIlroy was.
The margin of victory and quality of performance also drew comparisons with the victories achieved by Tiger Woods, when he won the 1997 Masters by 12 shots and the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach by 15 shots.
They were two outstanding wins that most thought we might never see the likes off again, McIlroy has now dispelled that myth.
Hopefully that will put the last 9 holes nightmare at Augusta to bed for McIlroy, I always thought he would come good and win a major, but after Augusta I thought it might be another year or so before he finally got there – I also never thought he would win one in such a manner as this.
Well played Rory, and let’s hope for many more.