"I'm very happy but it would be nice to get a little piece of the action," says Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy can follow in the footsteps of close pal Graeme McDowell and make it back to back US Open wins for golfers from Northern Ireland.Rory McIlroy joked that he’s fed up being happy for his major winning pals and gunning for some silverware of his own.
The Ulster ace, 22, watched on TV at home as close friend Graeme McDowell lifted the US Open last year.
And he was also forced to grin and bear it as stablemate Charl Schwartzel took advantage of his Masters meltdown to snatch the green jacket in April.
Asked if he’d had enough being happy for others, McIlroy grinned and said: “Yeah, definitely, definitely. I’d like to be happy for myself. I’m very happy but it would be nice to get a little piece of the action.”
Pleased to smash several scoring records in the first two rounds, he added: “These records, they’re nice, but they don’t really mean anything until the end of the tournament.
U.S. Open Records
Rory McIlroy is the fifth person to reach double digits under par at the U.S. Open. He also accomplished it in the fewest holes in history (26). The previous four were:
Gil Morgan, 1992, Pebble Beach, 39 holes
Ricky Barnes, 2009, Bethpage State Park, Black Course, 40 holes
Jim Furyk, 2003, Olympia Fields, 45 holes
Tiger Woods, 2000, Pebble Beach, 66 holes
Rory McIlroy is the first player in history to reach 13 under at the U.S. Open. It breaks the previous record for most strokes under par at any point (previously 12 under, shared by Gil Morgan in 1992 and Tiger Woods in 2000).
Rory McIlroy’s 36-hole total of 131 is the lowest 36-hole score for the first two rounds in U.S. Open history.
Rory McIlroy shares the largest 36-hole lead in U.S. Open history at six strokes, matching the mark set by Tiger Woods in 2000. Woods won by a major championship record of 15 strokes.
At 22 years, 1 month and 13 days, Rory McIlroy is believed to be the youngest 36-hole leader of the U.S. Open in 97 years. Walter Hagen led the 1914 U.S. Open after the second round at age 21 years, 8 months and 0 days.
“If I can look back on this tournament with a trophy in my hand and look back at the records, that would be nice.”
McIlroy asked Charl Schwartel to show him the green jacket as they flew to Malaysia the day after his Masters disappointment. This time he’s hoping it’s his turn to celebrate.After coming away empty-handed from the last three majors, he said: “I don’t know if watching Graeme win gives me added confidence. But it definitely gives me added incentive.
“It would be nice to follow in his footsteps. I was very happy for him last year. I was at home in Northern Ireland watching it because I didn’t make the cut at Pebble Beach.
“It’s nice to have a chance going into the weekend to win the trophy that he won last year.”
McIlroy’s caddie JP Fitzgerald is determined to keep his player’s feet on the ground.
Sounding a word of caution, the Dubliner said: “This guy is obviously capable of amazing things but it is just halfway. It is only Friday and we are very much in the present.”
McIlroy planned to see the Hangover 2 at the cinema last night and after his Masters meltdown, he’s hoping it’s not a bad omen after his Augusta hangover in April.