McIlroy wins US Open

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Rory McIlroy ripped through the record books as he claimed his first Major victory at the US Open at Congressional in America.

McIlroy finished on 16 under to win by a massive eight shots. The 22-year-old walked off the 72nd hole and into his father’s arms. “Happy Father’s Day” was the first thing he uttered.

Just over two months ago the floppy-haired rising star gave up a four-shot lead on the final day of The Masters at Augusta after a meltdown on the back nine. No such dramas enveloped the older (a bit) and wiser (a lot) McIlroy.

He led from the first round to the last and made a clear statement that there’s plenty more sublime golf to come. He shot all four rounds in the 60s and never looked like faltering.

His tally of 16-under par is the lowest total ever at a US Open and the last 10 US Open champions combined were 14 under.

It was the second straight US Open title for the tiny country of Northern Ireland, and defending champion Graeme McDowell walked back across the bridge to the 18th green to embrace the new winner.

“You’re a legend,” McDowell told him.

An exhausted and emotional McIlroy said: “I couldn’t ask for much more, and I’m just so happy to be holding this trophy. I know how good Tiger was in 2000 to win by 15 in Pebble. I was trying to go out there and emulate him in some way. I played great for four days, and I couldn’t be happier.”

McIlroy added. “To come back straight away at the US Open and win that is nice. You can always call yourself a major champion, and hopefully after this, I can call myself a multiple major champion one day.”

Even Tiger Woods got in on the act. The injured, former World No. 1 said in a statement: “What a performance from start to finish. Enjoy the win. Well done.”

McIlroy, who goes to No. 4 in the world, now stands above everyone going into the final two majors of the year.

Among the records he set in a US Open unlike any other:

— The 72-hole record at 268.

— The 54-hole record at 199.

— The 36-hole record at 131.

— Most under par at any point at 17 unde

— Quickest to reach double digits under par — 26 holes when he got to 10 under in the second round.

There was simply no catching McIlroy, Lee Westwood and YE Yang briefly closed in but ended up 10 shots back. Young Aussie Jason Day finished second, at eight under.

Bring on The Open at Royal St George’s in a month’s time. You can pick McIlroy in your TG Fantasy Golf game. It’s free to play and there are some stunning prizes on offer.

Scoring doesn’t start until The Open on July 14, so sign up now!

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