On a record day for scoring at the U.S. Open, 12 players posted better scores than Rory McIlroy's Sunday 69, including two 66s and four 67s. On the second hole, he holed a nervy six-foot par putt, adding more of the same.
McIlroy broke or tied 12 U.S. Open records. His total of 268 breaks by four strokes the 72-hole scoring record held by four players. Player after player, in their post-round interviews, confessed their amazement at his perfect play—honestly, since Friday, there hasn't been any other real story. "The way he plays golf, it's a different golf. It's close to perfect," said Martin Kaymer, world No. 3 and the reigning PGA champion.
Until McIlroy wins more majors, it's too early to anoint him as golf's next breakout superstar. But none of the other young contenders have the same rare combination of enormous talent, calm temperament and balance in life that McIlroy has.
McIlroy's father, Gerry, made the trip from Northern Ireland to be here for Father's Day, and the look they exchanged across the 18th fairway, before McIlroy made his final (superb) lag putt, spoke eloquently about the depth of their relationship.
McIlroy, the sympathetic figure at the Masters, was as close to perfect as golf allows Friday during a stunning assault on the record book. McIlroy went 17 holes without missing a green. He went 35 holes without making a bogey.
Not since Woods destroyed his competition at Pebble Beach in 2000 for a record 15-shot victory has anyone made golf look this easy, at least for two rounds.
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