Golf is a funny game. A guy in his forties can make it to world No 1 and so can a guy in his early twenties. The younger you are, you have a little less fear; the older you are, you have a little more experience. It levels itself out!!
Rory McIlroy made his pro debut on American soil in the Arizona desert at the 2009 Match Play Championship. As a 19-year-old, McIlroy advanced to the quarterfinals and threw everything he had at Geoff Ogilvy until losing on the 17th hole. There was something special about this freckled-face kid with brown curls spilling out from under his cap, who played the game with a delightful mixture of joy and reckless abandon. But Rory has that experience and has matured a lot. And that makes it even more interesting.
Today Rory McIlroy, in the words of his father, is feeling "relieved" to be the new world No 1.It’s actually a remarkable rise for the 22-year-old, who many feared might struggle to recover after blowing a four-shot lead in the final round of the US Masters just 11 months ago. McIlroy short game has improved much in the last six to 12 months. Everybody has known for a long time how well McIlroy can hit the ball, but what his third victory in America proved is how much he has improved his short game and his nerve. The results sheet provides overwhelming evidence. Since the USPGA last August, McIlroy has played 11 tournaments, won three of them, finished in the top five on seven other occasions and come outside the top 10 just once – at the Dubai World Championship in December when he was ill. He still came 11th and Rory has still has 20 years ahead of him!!
McIlroy is the second-youngest player to be No. 1 in the world ranking - Woods was 21 when he first reached the top after the U.S. Open in 1997. And it should be noted that Woods only stayed at No. 1 for one measly week. After trading places with Ernie Els, Greg Norman and eventually David Duval, Woods finally established himself as the best by staying at No. 1 for more than five years.
It''s too early to call McIlroy the next Tiger. He won a major at a young age. He''s got the game. Yeah, you can compare him with Tiger (Woods). He''s still got a lot to do. And there''s no doubt that Tiger''s 14 majors are very impressive. McIlroy faces his toughest fight to hold on to his lofty position with Woods showing signs of getting back to his best and fellow Europeans Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer hot on his tail in the rankings. You also can’t discount Phil Mickelson, whose 64 to win at Pebble Beach last month was a tremendous effort.
As of now, Rory McIlroy is enjoying and even tried his hand at a different sport last night as he stood in for girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki in an exhibition match against Maria Sharapova at the Madison Square Gardens in New York!!
The wonder years: From baby steps to world No 1
Born 4 May 1989
Two Hits a 40-yard drive
Nine Wins World Under-10 Championship in Miami
13 Wins Ulster Boys Championship
14 Wins Irish Boys Championship
15 Wins Irish Youths Amateur Championship
16 Becomes youngest winner of Irish Amateur Closed Championship. Shoots course- record 61 at Royal Portrush
17 Wins Irish Amateur Closed Championship for second year and becomes European Amateur Individual Champion.
18 Wins Silver Medal as Leading Amateur in the Open, after finishing tied 42nd. No 1 ranked amateur. Turns professional and wins enough money from just two events to earn his card.
19 Wins first European Tour event, Dubai Desert Classic, months after losing European Masters in play-off to Jean-François Lucquin after losing four-shot lead
20 Has first top-10 finish in a major at US Open. Becomes second 20-year-old to make world top 10. Records first top-three finish in a major at USPGA.
21 Wins Quail Hollow Championship, first US title, with final-round 62. Shoots 63 in first round of the Open, but has an 80 in second round. On winning team at Ryder Cup.
Leads Masters through first 63 holes before meltdown sees him shoot 80.
22 Becomes Europe''s youngest winner of a major at the US Open Championship. Youngest US Open champion since 1923.Becomes second-youngest world No 1 with victory at Honda Classic, his third win in nine events.
By Chandan , Marketing and sales head and a sports enthusiast
Views are personal
