BETHESDA, Maryland, (Reuters) – Rory McIlroy’s runaway victory at the U.S. Open on Sunday has sparked excited speculation about what may follow in a manner not witnessed since Tiger Woods obliterated the field at the 1997 Masters.
Woods clinched his first major title by a record-breaking 12 shots at Augusta National and has gone on to claim a further 13 grand slam crowns while cementing his status as arguably the greatest player of all time.
Northern Irishman McIlroy is celebrating his first major success at the tender golfing age of 22 and has the potential to compete at the highest level for at least another 18 years.
The curly-haired prodigy, who supplied early evidence of his golfing skills when he hit a 40-yard drive aged just two, has long been regarded as the heir-apparent to Woods.
