Rory McIlroy captured his first major championship in glorious fashion with a record-breaking win at the U.S. Open at 22 years, 46 days old and becomes the second youngest player to win a major since World War II.
Rory McIlroy remained in full control in the last round to win at 16-under 268 with 8 shot win over Jason Day in second shattering a U.S. Open scoring record held by four players, including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. McIlroy broke 12 records in this tournament. He became the third player in U.S. Open history to break 70 in all four rounds.
In search of his first major, McIlroy showed no signs of a collapse Sunday similar to the meltdown at the Masters, where he blew a four-stroke lead and shot 80.
Before this week, no player had even been lower than 12-under par at the U.S. Open. McIlroy got to 13 under on Friday, 14 under on Saturday and took that mark another three shots lower at one point Sunday.
The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland needed to shoot 1-over 72 or better to break the 72-hole scoring record at the Open, held by four men, including Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
“As I’ve said before, I think he has probably the most talent I’ve ever seen from a golfer,” said Luke Donald, the top-ranked player in the world, after finishing at 5-over par. “Lovely to watch him play, such a fluid motion, and he hits it far.”
Said Phil Mickelson: “You can tell that Rory has had this type of talent in him for some time now, and to see him putting it together is pretty neat to see.” He finished with a 71 on Sunday that left him 7 over.
Source: ESPN
2011 U.S. Open Championship Leaderboard
| Pos | Name | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Today | Thru | Total | Strokes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rory McIlroy | 65 | 66 | 68 | 69 | -2 | F | -16 | 268 |
| 2 | Jason Day | 71 | 72 | 65 | 68 | -3 | F | -8 | 276 |
| T3 | Kevin Chappell | 76 | 67 | 69 | 66 | -5 | F | -6 | 278 |
| T3 | Robert Garrigus | 70 | 70 | 68 | 70 | -1 | F | -6 | 278 |
| T3 | Lee Westwood | 75 | 68 | 65 | 70 | -1 | F | -6 | 278 |
| T3 | Y.E. Yang | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | E | F | -6 | 278 |
| T7 | Peter Hanson | 72 | 71 | 69 | 67 | -4 | F | -5 | 279 |
| T7 | Sergio Garcia | 69 | 71 | 69 | 70 | -1 | F | -5 | 279 |
| T9 | Charl Schwartzel | 68 | 74 | 72 | 66 | -5 | F | -4 | 280 |
| T9 | Louis Oosthuizen | 69 | 73 | 71 | 67 | -4 | F | -4 | 280 |
| T11 | Brandt Snedeker | 70 | 70 | 72 | 69 | -2 | F | -3 | 281 |
| T11 | Davis Love III | 70 | 71 | 70 | 70 | -1 | F | -3 | 281 |
| T11 | Heath Slocum | 71 | 70 | 70 | 70 | -1 | F | -3 | 281 |
| T14 | Graeme McDowell | 70 | 74 | 69 | 69 | -2 | F | -2 | 282 |
| T14 | Webb Simpson | 75 | 71 | 66 | 70 | -1 | F | -2 | 282 |
| T14 | Matt Kuchar | 72 | 68 | 69 | 73 | +2 | F | -2 | 282 |
| T14 | Fredrik Jacobson | 74 | 69 | 66 | 73 | +2 | F | -2 | 282 |
| T14 | Bo Van Pelt | 76 | 67 | 68 | 71 | E | F | -2 | 282 |
| T19 | Johan Edfors | 70 | 72 | 74 | 67 | -4 | F | -1 | 283 |
| T19 | Steve Stricker | 75 | 69 | 69 | 70 | -1 | F | -1 | 283 |
| T21 | Ryan Palmer | 69 | 72 | 73 | 70 | -1 | F | E | 284 |
| T21 | Patrick Cantlay | 75 | 67 | 70 | 72 | +1 | F | E | 284 |
