McIlroy breaks his US duck in style
Source: Agencies |
May 4, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
LUMBERED with the burden of being labeled "golf's next big thing" Rory McIlroy's breakthrough PGA Tour victory on Sunday could not come soon enough for a man yet to celebrate his 21st birthday.
"I got to seventh in the world at the start of the year and I'm thinking, 'if I'm the seventh best golfer in the world I should be competing'," McIlroy told reporters after registering a stunning four-stroke victory at the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina.
"I was putting a lot of pressure on myself, which you shouldn't. Sometimes you need to sit back and (realize) you're doing pretty well and just put things into perspective a little bit."
Despite possessing a wealth of talent, the Northern Irishman had only one professional victory to his name prior to this week, early last year in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
A final round 10-under-par 62 was a perfect way to break his American duck and lift the self-imposed pressure in one fell swoop, completing a rite of passage that fellow professional Padraig Harrington claims is a must for any aspiring great.
"There's an awful lot of pressure on him," three-time major winner Harrington said of McIlroy. "At home, no matter how he does, the focus is on him all the way through Europe.
"When he plays in Europe he's a big star and when you're not winning, you're not delivering and it becomes a burden.
"It's amazing the difference when you get a win. He will be a lot more comfortable with who he is, a lot more patient."
McIlroy could have easily missed out on his maiden US victory after struggling through the first two rounds before an eagle on his 16th hole on Friday allowed him to make the cut with nothing to spare.
"That was the most important shot of the year," he said of the four-iron he struck to within six feet of the cup.
McIlroy grew up following the feats of Tiger Woods but over the next few years it may be the world No. 1 admiring the Briton's achievements.
"Tiger set the benchmark so high," McIlroy said two days ahead of his 21st birthday. "We want to achieve that. Even if we don't get to that level, it's still pretty good."
The Briton blew away a top-quality field which included Woods and Phil Mickelson to become the youngest player since Woods to win on the PGA Tour, finishing at 15-under after a masterclass of shotmaking on a notoriously difficult course. Mickelson, chasing back-to-back titles after winning the US Masters last month, closed with a 68 to finish outright second at 11-under while Angel Cabrera of Argentina also carded a 68 to finish third, a further shot back.
Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge was fourth and Bo Van Pelt fifth as overnight leader Billy Mayfair fell out of contention after shooting 76, but no-one could keep pace with McIlroy.
"I thought a 68 would be good enough," Mickelson said. "But I've got to congratulate Rory, you just never expect something like 62.
"He's an incredible player, just an amazing talent."
"I got to seventh in the world at the start of the year and I'm thinking, 'if I'm the seventh best golfer in the world I should be competing'," McIlroy told reporters after registering a stunning four-stroke victory at the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina.
"I was putting a lot of pressure on myself, which you shouldn't. Sometimes you need to sit back and (realize) you're doing pretty well and just put things into perspective a little bit."
Despite possessing a wealth of talent, the Northern Irishman had only one professional victory to his name prior to this week, early last year in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
A final round 10-under-par 62 was a perfect way to break his American duck and lift the self-imposed pressure in one fell swoop, completing a rite of passage that fellow professional Padraig Harrington claims is a must for any aspiring great.
"There's an awful lot of pressure on him," three-time major winner Harrington said of McIlroy. "At home, no matter how he does, the focus is on him all the way through Europe.
"When he plays in Europe he's a big star and when you're not winning, you're not delivering and it becomes a burden.
"It's amazing the difference when you get a win. He will be a lot more comfortable with who he is, a lot more patient."
McIlroy could have easily missed out on his maiden US victory after struggling through the first two rounds before an eagle on his 16th hole on Friday allowed him to make the cut with nothing to spare.
"That was the most important shot of the year," he said of the four-iron he struck to within six feet of the cup.
McIlroy grew up following the feats of Tiger Woods but over the next few years it may be the world No. 1 admiring the Briton's achievements.
"Tiger set the benchmark so high," McIlroy said two days ahead of his 21st birthday. "We want to achieve that. Even if we don't get to that level, it's still pretty good."
The Briton blew away a top-quality field which included Woods and Phil Mickelson to become the youngest player since Woods to win on the PGA Tour, finishing at 15-under after a masterclass of shotmaking on a notoriously difficult course. Mickelson, chasing back-to-back titles after winning the US Masters last month, closed with a 68 to finish outright second at 11-under while Angel Cabrera of Argentina also carded a 68 to finish third, a further shot back.
Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge was fourth and Bo Van Pelt fifth as overnight leader Billy Mayfair fell out of contention after shooting 76, but no-one could keep pace with McIlroy.
"I thought a 68 would be good enough," Mickelson said. "But I've got to congratulate Rory, you just never expect something like 62.
"He's an incredible player, just an amazing talent."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
