Holywood ending for record-breaking Rory as McIlroy romps to US Open glory

By Derek Lawrenson for MailOnline

Maybe they will change the name of the venue to Processional after what Rory McIlroy achieved on an historic afternoon at the 111th US Open at Congressional.



Long before the end, the young man who had stumbled so horrifically over the final nine holes at Augusta National in April had changed before our eyes into a player so sure-footed that every hole over the same inward stretch here formed part of a glorious coronation.



This was not only the finest display of major championship golf ever played by a man from these shores, it surely ranks alongside a couple of Tiger Woods's greatest hits as the most wondrous played by anyone, anywhere.

A star is born: McIlroy lifts aloft the US Open trophy after his stunning win at Congressional

Happy Fathers Day: McIlroy celebrates his eight-stroke victory with his dad, Gerry, on the 18th green

In becoming the youngest winner of this fabled event since the great Bobby Jones in 1923, McIlroy also forged an indelible link with two more immortals in claiming his first major at the age of just 22.



Seve Ballesteros was 22 years and 100 days old when he won the 1979 Open. Jack Nicklaus was 22 years and 143 days old when he won the 1962 US Open.



Taking it all onboard: Rory McIlroy holds the US Open trophy

What a feeling: McIlroy celebrates his first major victory after sealing his US Open triumph

Now, in winning by a margin of eight over Australian Jason Day, McIlroy had edged the former by 54 days and the latter by 97.



First to offer his congratulations was Nicklaus, the man McIlroy sought out for advice after his Masters implosion.

'I didn't think he would make the same mistakes again after talking to him and he certainly hasn't,' said the Golden Bear. 'I like everything about Rory. He's humble when he needs to be humble and cocky when he needs to be cocky. I have no doubts he is going to have a great career.'



Great mates: Graeme McDowell embraces his friend and fellow countryman after McIlroy's win





All smiles: McIlroy shares a joke with his caddie J.P. Fitzgerald during his magnificent final round

Take away Woods's 15-stroke winning margin at Pebble Beach in 2000 and this was the largest victory margin seen in this event for 90 years. But then so many records fell to McIlroy during this week when he realised all his fabulous promise, it's almost impossible to list them all.



Alongside the lowest two, three and four round totals, perhaps the most impressive was the fact no-one had ever gone lower than 12 under par before, and McIlroy has now reset the bar at 16 under.



Think Bob Beamon breaking the long jump record by nearly two feet at the 1968 Olympics, and you're in the right ballpark.



Heading for glory: McIlroy salutes the crowd after his birdie on the 10th hole

White flag: Lee Westwood started strongly but missed birdie putts and couldn't challenge McIlroy

How symbolic that it should be at the 10th where he played his finest blow. Remember, it was the 10th where he had given his little boy lost impression at Augusta, and ran up a seven.



Here at this hideously difficult par three, YE Yang had hit a tremendous tee shot to 3ft. If McIlroy had put his tee shot into the water as so many others did last week, his lead would have been down to five.

No problem for Rory: Y.E. Yang of Korea tees off on the fourth hole but was always too far adrift

Stadium golf: Fredrik Jacobson hits his tee shot on the par three tenth hole

His response? A six iron that pitched 5ft behind the flag, and screwed back to three inches. Bye bye Augusta meltdown, never to be mentioned again.



How appropriate that he should now be linked with Jack and Seve, for Rory will win his majors by outplaying the opposition like Nicklaus did, while displaying all the charm and personality that Ballesteros showed.



That much was evident from the adulation that came his way in Washington. No matter how many he goes on to win, he will always recall the reception he received here.

Clear Daylight: Australian Jason Day had a strong final round but was also too far back

The love affair America began with McIlroy at the Masters became all-consuming at Congressional. Not since President Obama's inauguration has the nation's capital showered so much love on one man.



Listen to Dave Stockton, once the most rah-rah of American Ryder Cup captains and the man who has transformed McIlroy's putting.

'I saw him this morning and told him to stay aggressive and enjoy it, the way Arnold Palmer used to enjoy it. Rory is the sixth non-US player in the last eight years to win, and I've got to tell you, the American people love him so much they would not care.'

Full house: The clubhouse at Congressional was packed to witness golfing history being made

They didn't. They cheered him on to every tee and green. Typical Rory, he would bend down occasionally between holes and give a golf ball to one of his young fans.

Graeme McDowell thought this was the first flowering of the game's next superstar. Padraig Harrington said McIlroy was the one who could go on to challenge Nicklaus's record of 18 majors, which seemed an extraordinary thing to say since at the time he hadn't won one.

'Oh Paddy, Paddy, Paddy,' said McIlroy, holding his head in his hands.



Atta boy! The partisan crowd cheers their favourite as McIlroy birdies the fourth hole

The hyperbole, though, was understandable after what we had witnessed. Twelve months ago, McIlroy missed the cut in this event and was back home in Portrush with tears in his eyes watching his great friend McDowell end a 40-year European wait for a US Open champion.



Now, two men born just 63 miles apart had become the first back-to-back champions hailing from the UK since Cyril Walker and Willie MacFarlane in 1924 and 1925.



'What are the odds on two consecutive winners from such a little place? It's not even lottery numbers, it's greater than that,' said G-Mac.



Rough spot: But McIlroy was on cruise control during his final round

Two majors so far this year, and McIlroy has led after seven of the eight rounds played. He is the 11th different winner of the last 11 majors.



After what we've witnessed here in this record-shattering week, it is hard to imagine that sequence going on for much longer.





