Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy polished off a record-setting, four-day performance Sunday at the 2011 US Open, held at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD, with a final-round score of 69, 2-under par, to finish with a record-net total of 268, 16-under par, to collect his first major championship. McIlroy, 22, was eight strokes better than the second-place finisher, Australia's Jason Day, who shot 8-under par, and became the youngest player ever to win the US Open.
Here are some other records (12 overall) McIlroy set at the conclusion of the 2011 US Open:
- Fastest to double-digit under par (26 holes)
- Low first 36 holes (131)
- Most strokes under par after 36 holes (11-under par)
- Largest 36-hole lead (six strokes)
- Low first 54 holes (199)
- Most strokes under par after 54 holes (14-under par)
- Low 72-hole total (268)
- Most strokes under par after 72 holes (16-under par)
There was no doubt that before Sunday's final round started, it was McIlroy's tournament to lose. The young gun came out firing birding two of his first four holes, which helped him move to 16-under par and earn a 10-stroke lead. McIlroy moved to 17-under par after almost acing what is considered the toughest hole on the course -- the par-3, 10th hole -- and tapping in for birdie. McIlroy lost a shot with a bogey on No. 12, but by that time no other golfer was even close to contending and he coasted to victory.
McIlroy, who became the second straight Northern Ireland native to win American's championship (Graeme McDowell won last year), put on a show for the ages and it was refreshing to see golf's young talent play at a Tiger-like level. The 2011 US Open may not have been as dramatic as The Masters, but it was similar to the one played at Augusta National in 1997.
For more information on the US Open check out SB Nation's golf blog Waggle Room,SB Nation DC's US Open storystream and SB Nation's pro golf hub.