Congressional Rors

It was a laugher. The 111th US Open held for the third time at Congressional Country Club’s Blue Course produced one of the most lop-sided victories in the history of the illustrious tournament, and crowned a champion who has now been dubbed the heir apparent to Tiger. Rory McIlroy’s record setting 16-under-par 268 was the most impressive victory in the US Open since Tiger obliterated the field by 15 strokes in 2000. McIlroy’s wire to wire victory boasted rounds of 65-66-68-69, and more impressively, only 4 over par holes the entire week! But is it fair?

No I’m not questioning if Rory versus the field is fair because obviously it is only his second career Tour victory and first career major. What I’m questioning is the media blitz that is crowning him as the next Tiger. The quotes from players like Padraig Harrington all but guaranteeing his ascent to the top and eventual breaking of Jack Nicklaus’ 18 major championship record. And although he is the same age as Jack when he won his first title, please remember that McIlroy is the same kid who crumbled on the back nine on Sunday at the Masters, firing an 80 and blowing a 4-stroke 54-hole lead!

I’m not saying that McIlroy doesn’t have the potential and game to get to that Tiger-esque domination, but also take note that at this point in Tiger’s career, he had already won over 20 PGA Tour events! He looked like an unstoppable force and it was only a matter of ‘when’ not a matter of ‘if’ he was going to break Nicklaus’ major record. Between knee and Achilles injuries, pancake waitresses, pornstars and his wife taking a nine-iron to his grill (allegedly) his world is currently in shambles. But let me quickly point out that Tiger is sitting on 14 majors, only four shy of tying Jack, and a whopping 13 majors ahead of Rory!

I’m not saying Tiger will break any major records, but if healthy why doesn’t he have a chance? What I do know right now is that I would put money on Tiger passing Jack before Rory passing Jack. Nothing against this outstanding young man, in fact, I’m a huge Rory fan, but what I am essentially trying to say is we need to curtail all of this Rory-Jack-Tiger conversation for a bit. I would just like to see him win a few more majors before this conversation arises. Sure, he’s a pro’s pro with arguably the best swing in golf, amazing maturity for his age, and a personality and swagger people tend to gravitate toward. But there’s a lot of majors to win and a lot of young talent and potential looming for Mr. McIlroy.

Ask Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, Jason Day, Hunter Mahan, Rickie Fowler, Luke Donald, Bubba Watson, Nick Watney, Paul Casey, Matt Kuchar, Ian Poulter, Molinari’s Squared, Adam Scott, Steve Stricker and Justin Rose about wanting a major. Have you heard of Matteao Manassaro or Ryo Ishikawa? What would Sergio Garcia do to get a major? Is Phil Mickelson done winning majors? Or Charl Schwartzel? Or Graeme McDowell? Or Martin Kaymer? How about Louis Oosthuizen, YE Yang, Zach Johnson, Geoff Ogilvy or even Angel Cabrera? What about Tiger Woods for that matter? My point is that competition is so strong right now and there is so much parity on the PGA Tour and worldwide that nobody’s game is safe.

Sure, I would be extremely surprised and disappointed if McIlroy does not cash in on another major championship. I don’t even think it’s out of the question that he’ll win another one this season, but the talk needs to stop. I want to see how Rory handles the pressure of going for number two…three...four etc. How he deals with the stress of success and winning or disappointment and losing. And more importantly how he deals with the impending return of Tiger. To me all of that is in question and we may get some answers next month at Royal St. George’s. What I do know, is that McIlroy’s total and utter domination of a US Open track warranted talk of greatness, but will that quiet confidence he seems to carry, continue to keep that spring in his step?

This is a story that will unfold over the next decade and I’m more than ready to watch what this young man is capable of achieving. We may see even more of those ‘Congressional Rors’ at future major venues. He’ll get his opportunity at Green Jacket redemption next April at Augusta.

PS – Welcome American’s Robert Garrigus and Kevin Chappell to The Masters on CBS on the strength of each of their T3 finishes!