Do We Have a New heir?

In the wake of the unfortunate decline of Tiger Woods, it seems as though US golf is also on the wane.

Americans’ domination of the global game has, at least for the time being, become a thing of the past. Europeans, South Africans, Australians and even South Koreans and Japanese have imposed their authority and are threatening to relegate, to secondary status, the top US stars competing on the biggest and most lucrative golf tour in the world.

In addition, a youthful pretender (22 years) has his sights set firmly on the king’s throne. Rory McIlroy is no longer simply a promising talent but now a brilliantly shining reality after winning the US Open with such crushing superiority over the rest of the field é resounding revenge for his US Masters meltdown.

The young Northern Irishman remained calm after his triumph, resisting the temptation to explode in joy. With a mere childlike smile he embraced his father as if realising this was just the first major of his career.

He is now considered the natural successor to Woods; that is, of course, if Tiger does not return one day to his former glory.

Rory, who won the US Open with a 16-under total, breaking several records along the way in a tournament that dates back 111 years and has involved the finest players in the history of the game, created a sensation in the international press.

Perhaps the best description of his performance in the US Open came from The New York Times: CAa boyish smile and the occasional laugh, a young man playing near-flawless golf and enjoying the walk on the lush grounds of Congressional Country Club.