link

US Open 2011: Rory McIlroy admits Augusta meltdown inspired him to victory
The youngest US Champion for 88 years tells reporters that letting the Masters title slip from his grasp two months ago gave him valuable experience to help him win his first major.

8:13AM BST 20 Jun 2011

The Ulsterman eased to an eight-shot victory at Congressional as he carded a two-under-par final round of 69. Long regarded as a future world number one, McIlroy posted a tournament record total of 16-under 268 to leave his nearest challengers trailing in his wake, as he banished memories of his final-round Masters meltdown two months ago.

"It's just fantastic. I never really -- I've never thought about it that much, I've always dreamt about one day being a Major champion, but to actually sit here and to be able to call yourself one is very nice.

"I got my first Major Championship out of the way quite early on in my career, especially after what's happened the last couple of months, it feels great, and just looking forward to putting myself in the picture for hopefully many more."

He eclipsed the previous best aggregate of 12-under set by Tiger Woods at the 2000 U.S. Open and became the second successive Northern Irishman to win the title after Graeme McDowell last year.

"It will probably take a little bit of time to sink in, but just to sit here, knowing that I've just won that trophy and following in the footsteps of one of my best friends, Graeme McDowell, last year at Pebble, you know, it's a great feeling.


"I think when Graeme won last year, it made me realize that winning a Major championship was achievable, attainable. To see a great friend like that win a Major, it only inspires you, it inspires you to go out and emulate them, and funnily enough, I was able to do that this week," McIlroy said of his fellow countryman.

Long regarded as a future world number one, McIlroy posted a tournament record total of 16-under 268 to leave his nearest challengers trailing in his wake, as he banished memories of his final-round Masters meltdown two months ago.

"It's just fantastic. I never really -- I've never thought about it that much, I've always dreamt about one day being a Major champion, but to actually sit here and to be able to call yourself one is very nice.

"I got my first Major Championship out of the way quite early on in my career, especially after what's happened the last couple of months, it feels great, and just looking forward to putting myself in the picture for hopefully many more."