Bethesda (Maryland), Jun 20 (AFP) Rory McIlroy captured his first major golf title in historic fashion, turning the final round of the 111th US Open into a virtual victory lap on his way to an eight-stroke triumph.
The 22-year-old Northern Ireland prodigy fired a two-under par 69 to finish 72 holes at Congressional Country Club on 16-under par 268, the lowest winning total in US Open history, and become the youngest US Open winner in 88 years yesterday.
"The whole week has been incredible," McIlroy said. "I couldn't ask for much more. I'm just happy to be holding this trophy."
The Ulsterman humbled course and rivals the same way 21-year-old Tiger Woods ripped apart Augusta National and overwhelmed the field in the 1997 Masters for the first of his 14 career major triumphs.