Charlotte (North Carolina) May 3: Rory McIlroy first gained worldwide attention when he was 18 and opened the British Open with a bogey-free round at Carnoustie.
A European Tour victory came a year later, and a pronouncement by Tiger Woods that the young Northern Irishman had all the tools to one day be No. 1 in the world.
Sunday’s win at the Quail Hollow Championship was only a step, but the 20-year-old showed why there is so much fuss about him.
With one dazzling shot after another, McIlroy shattered the course record at the Quail Hollow Championship with a 10-under 62 for a four-shot victory over Masters champion Phil Mickelson, making him the youngest PGA Tour winner since Woods.
The man billed as Europe’s next big star made quite an impression in America.
“One of the best rounds I've seen in a long, long time,” Mickelson said after a birdie on the final hole gave him a 68 and second place alone.
“He’s an incredible player, a great talent, a great young man, a great kid. I really enjoy being around him. And I’m so happy for him. I’m just disappointed it’s at my expense.”
McIlroy didn’t feel the stress of being locked in a tense battle at the Quail Hollow Championship with Mickelson and two-time major champion Angel Cabrera right behind him, on the course and on the leaderboard.
“I suppose I got into the zone,” said McIlroy, who turns 21 on Tuesday.
“I hadn’t realized I was going in 9, 10 under. I just know I got my nose in front, and I was just trying to stay there. The zone is not a new sensation,” he added.