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BETHESDA, Maryland (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy's runaway victory at the U.S. Open on Sunday has sparked excited speculation about what may follow in a manner not witnessed since Tiger Woods obliterated the field at the 1997 Masters.
Woods clinched his first major title by a record-breaking 12 shots at Augusta National and has gone on to claim a further 13 grand slam crowns while cementing his status as arguably the greatest player of all time.
Northern Irishman McIlroy is celebrating his first major success at the tender golfing age of 22 and has the potential to compete at the highest level for at least another 18 years.
The curly-haired prodigy, who supplied early evidence of his golfing skills when he hit a 40-yard drive aged just two, has long been regarded as the heir-apparent to Woods.
Dubbed the 'Boy Wonder' in his homeland for the last decade, McIlroy has the 'whole package' when it comes to his abundant talent, work ethic, hunger to keep improving and his down-to-earth appeal with the fans.
He is gracious to a fault, whether he has fared well or badly out on the course, handles his media responsibilities with remarkable poise and good nature and possesses a swing many believe is the best in the game.
"Rory has the potential to be as inspirational a figure as Tiger Woods still is," European Tour chief executive George O'Grady told Reuters. "He plays an exciting brand of golf and will be inspirational to so many youngsters around the world.
"His golfing brain is outstanding, he plays attacking golf when he needs to, patient golf when he needs to be patient, he's got the most wonderful personality and he's unfailingly polite with everybody.
"He's got confidence, he plays swiftly and he's got a great short game. Wherever he goes, he is incredibly popular with all age groups."
Woods was a notable absentee from last week's U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club while recovering from multiple leg injuries and McIlroy gave the year's second major a much-needed jolt of electricity with his record-breaking form.
Roared on by appreciative galleries, he set tournament lows after 36, 54 and 72 holes as he coasted to an eight-stroke victory and shattered the U.S. Open scoring record of 12-under set by Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000 by four shots.
With Woods not having won a major title in three years and his competitive future up in the air due to injury, poor form and the disintegration of his personal life at the end of 2009, golf has searched desperately for a new trail-blazer.
With McIlroy, who has already been nicknamed the Celtic Tiger, that search may have ended. Ireland's Padraig Harrington firmly believes the reigning U.S. Open champion is capable of overhauling the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus.
THE MAJOR 'MAN'
"What is he, 22 years old? If you are going to talk about someone challenging Jack's record, there's your man," triple major champion Harrington said of McIlroy at Congressional.
"Winning majors at 22 with his talent -- he would have 20 more years so probably 100 more majors in him where he could be competitive. It would give him a great chance.
"Rory has set himself apart now in potential. Other guys have been in contention and failed to win majors. Rory has been lapping the field."
McIlroy, who had triumphed only once apiece on the U.S. PGA and European tours before his stunning breakthrough at Congressional, is a little bemused by all the hype and speculation about his potential.
When told of Harrington's lavish praise, he simply shook his head while muttering: "Paddy, Paddy, Paddy." As ever, McIlroy puts things into perspective with remarkable ease.
"It's nice that people say that he could be this or he could be that or he could win 20 major championships, but at the end of the day I've won one," he said. "I obviously want to add to that tally.
"You can't let what other people think of you, influence what you have to do. You have to just go out there, work hard and believe in yourself ... that's all you can really do."
McIlroy, who climbed four places to a career-high fourth in the world rankings issued on Monday, will face his next major opportunity in the July 14-17 British Open at Royal St. George's.
"There's two more (majors) left (this year)," said the native of Holywood in Northern Ireland. "I said after Augusta, there's three more majors left, I'll try and go out and win one of them. I've done that.
"Now there are two more majors left and I'm going to try my best and go out and put myself in a great position to win them also."
(Editing by Frank Pingue; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Woods clinched his first major title by a record-breaking 12 shots at Augusta National and has gone on to claim a further 13 grand slam crowns while cementing his status as arguably the greatest player of all time.
Northern Irishman McIlroy is celebrating his first major success at the tender golfing age of 22 and has the potential to compete at the highest level for at least another 18 years.
The curly-haired prodigy, who supplied early evidence of his golfing skills when he hit a 40-yard drive aged just two, has long been regarded as the heir-apparent to Woods.
Dubbed the 'Boy Wonder' in his homeland for the last decade, McIlroy has the 'whole package' when it comes to his abundant talent, work ethic, hunger to keep improving and his down-to-earth appeal with the fans.
He is gracious to a fault, whether he has fared well or badly out on the course, handles his media responsibilities with remarkable poise and good nature and possesses a swing many believe is the best in the game.
"Rory has the potential to be as inspirational a figure as Tiger Woods still is," European Tour chief executive George O'Grady told Reuters. "He plays an exciting brand of golf and will be inspirational to so many youngsters around the world.
"His golfing brain is outstanding, he plays attacking golf when he needs to, patient golf when he needs to be patient, he's got the most wonderful personality and he's unfailingly polite with everybody.
"He's got confidence, he plays swiftly and he's got a great short game. Wherever he goes, he is incredibly popular with all age groups."
Woods was a notable absentee from last week's U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club while recovering from multiple leg injuries and McIlroy gave the year's second major a much-needed jolt of electricity with his record-breaking form.
Roared on by appreciative galleries, he set tournament lows after 36, 54 and 72 holes as he coasted to an eight-stroke victory and shattered the U.S. Open scoring record of 12-under set by Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000 by four shots.
With Woods not having won a major title in three years and his competitive future up in the air due to injury, poor form and the disintegration of his personal life at the end of 2009, golf has searched desperately for a new trail-blazer.
With McIlroy, who has already been nicknamed the Celtic Tiger, that search may have ended. Ireland's Padraig Harrington firmly believes the reigning U.S. Open champion is capable of overhauling the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus.
THE MAJOR 'MAN'
"What is he, 22 years old? If you are going to talk about someone challenging Jack's record, there's your man," triple major champion Harrington said of McIlroy at Congressional.
"Winning majors at 22 with his talent -- he would have 20 more years so probably 100 more majors in him where he could be competitive. It would give him a great chance.
"Rory has set himself apart now in potential. Other guys have been in contention and failed to win majors. Rory has been lapping the field."
McIlroy, who had triumphed only once apiece on the U.S. PGA and European tours before his stunning breakthrough at Congressional, is a little bemused by all the hype and speculation about his potential.
When told of Harrington's lavish praise, he simply shook his head while muttering: "Paddy, Paddy, Paddy." As ever, McIlroy puts things into perspective with remarkable ease.
"It's nice that people say that he could be this or he could be that or he could win 20 major championships, but at the end of the day I've won one," he said. "I obviously want to add to that tally.
"You can't let what other people think of you, influence what you have to do. You have to just go out there, work hard and believe in yourself ... that's all you can really do."
McIlroy, who climbed four places to a career-high fourth in the world rankings issued on Monday, will face his next major opportunity in the July 14-17 British Open at Royal St. George's.
"There's two more (majors) left (this year)," said the native of Holywood in Northern Ireland. "I said after Augusta, there's three more majors left, I'll try and go out and win one of them. I've done that.
"Now there are two more majors left and I'm going to try my best and go out and put myself in a great position to win them also."
(Editing by Frank Pingue; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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