Expectations grow as McIlroy tries to add majors

Expectations grow as McIlroy tries to add majors: Bethesda, MD - Rory McIlroy how won the U.S. Open made comparisons with Tiger Woods are inevitable.

Since the historic 15-shot win Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000, someone crushed the competition on the US Open. McIlroy performance was so stunning in Congress that only four of its 72 holes have been worse than par, he broke a record by scoring four shots and finished at 16-under 268 striking.

Such an assessment is rare in the other three disciplines. It is inconceivable for U. S. Open.

But there was more than just his golf.

The buzz around the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland made it feel like 1997 Masters.

It was a watershed moment in sports, signaling the arrival of Woods. He brought an exciting blend of power and put, seized control of the tournament on the second day, demoralized Colin Montgomery in the third round and won by 12 shots with a record score to become the youngest champion of the Masters.

Woods was not in Congress, but at times he felt like it.

Energy picked up late Friday morning, right after McIlroy holes from pitching wedge for eagle on the Par-4 eighth to become only the fifth player in the history of US Open, to reach double digits under par.

The difference was it took him a total of 26 holes, and he was just getting warmed up. When he stood on the 10th tee, and thousands of fans stood shoulder to shoulder with TI all the way up the hill to the clubhouse. They crowded on the porch at the club, and there were so many fans, leaning against the railing on the balcony they were like passengers on a cruise ship coming into port.

All this to see Boy Wonder, who just may be the future of golf.

Golf can be ready for a new star, especially given the personal setbacks Woods and health problems that cloud its future. McIlroy brings the killer instinct, that is, of course, but has already shown that he can lose, and he can win.

Leave it to a child, but to preach patience.

When he was on his way to posting the first sub-200 score over 54 holes at the U.S. Open - under 14-199 - in the third round, Patrick Harrington announced him as a player, perhaps best suited for comparison chase Jack Nicklaus' 18 professional from specializations.

"If you're going to talk about someone challenging the record of Jack, there's your man," said Harrington. "Victory in 22 majors with his talent, he would have another 20 years ... where he could be competitive. This will give him a great chance."

Hearing this, McIlroy bowed his head and quietly said into the microphone with a playful condemnation, "Paddy, Paddy, Paddy."

Then Sunday, when he was just as relentless as ever, pulling the lead to as many as 10 shots, and his score is lower than 17. Graeme McDowell, who grew up hearing about, and then appreciate the skill McIlroy stated that "the best player I've ever seen."

These expectations that follow McIlroy with the Royal St George's British Open, in Atlanta in the championship PGA, and every major he plays for a long time, if not the rest of his career.

His name on US Open-Roll Champions Woods, a three-time winner. So far, that's where the similarities end.

Comparisons in the main product of youth, skill, and delivering on the potential. In his first trip to America as a pro, peers in McIlroy felt that it was only a matter of time before he won the biggest events and rose to number 1. He was that good, that swings its simple and clean, his talent was just too much to ignore.

McIlroy became the second youngest player to win since the master chief began in 1934, giving the Woods, 1997 Masters that about 10 months. That's why so much excitement about its future, and rightly so.

However, this was his 10th major as a pro. Woods won his professional debut in the league.

One question about McIlroy, in addition to his place, was his ability to finish. For someone with such talent, it was only his third career victory in 107 starts in European events and PGA Tour.

Woods has won 31 tournaments, including five majors, after 107 starts in the European and PGA Tour sanctioned events. Four of these specialties have been won in the period of 294 days, an achievement that could one of the most difficult to match.

"When you win big at the beginning of your career, everyone will make comparisons," McIlroy said. "It's natural."

McIlroy did not shy away from expectations, although it has a wonderful outlook for one so young.

"It's nice that people say" It could be this "or" It may be that "or" He could win 20 major championships, "he said." But in the end, I won one. I obviously want to add to that tally. But you can not let what other people think about you affect what you should do. You should just go out there, work hard, believe in yourself. "

There is another reason for all the excitement.

Golf is in search of stars after the fall of Woods, who has not won any tournament with his personal life and image were destroyed in November 2009, and whose health is such now that no one knows when he will play his next event, much less his next major.

Martin Kaymer won the PGA Championship and eventually rose to number 1 within two months. Lee Westwood now has five top 3s in his past 12 majors. Luke Donald is still number 1 in the world and play some of the best and most consistent golf.

Neither was as dynamic as McIlroy, on and off the golf course.

After winning US Open, he was on top of the leaders in the major for seven of the last eight rounds, and he was led at some point during the last three specialties - he lost four shots in the final round lead at the Masters with a well documented 80, and he for a short time, the overall lead in the Whistling Straits at PGA Championship as long as there is no 20-foot birdie putt on the last hole to finish one behind.

Who knows what the rest of the summer will hold for McIlroy. But now, it's hard not to assume that if it were not for the fact that 80 August, McIlroy would be headed by the British during the third stage of the Grand Slam.