Rory McIlroy Shatters U.S. Open Records, is a 'Breath of Fresh Air' to Golf

22-year-old phenom Rory McIlroy ran away from the field early on in the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club, showcasing an exciting young talent before a supportive crowd. McIlroy finished at 16-under par for the tournament, crushing Tiger Woods' record 12-under par performance at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. McIlroy performed exceptionally well all four days, and set several U.S. open records including best 36, 54, and 72-hole scores. "He's a breath of fresh air," golfer Graeme McDowell said after the Irishman's incredible performance. Sunday's final round 2-under par 69 was a demonstration of his strong-willed determination to recover from a Masters victory that was all but his until costly mistakes took him out of contention. "Going back to Augusta this year, I felt like that was a great opportunity to get my first major. It didn't quite work out," McIlroy said. "But to come back straightaway at the U.S. Open and win that is nice." McIlroy appears to be a very likable and humble young man, and the PGA Tour hopes that he understands the responsibility he suddenly carries as role model. Especially after the debacle of the Tiger Woods scandal, the Tour has searched for new credibility in talented stars. Even golfing legend Jack Nicklaus voiced his approval of the young golfer. "I think this kid's going to have a great career. I don't think there's any question about it. He's got all the components. He's got a lot of people rooting for him. He's a nice kid. He's got a pleasant personality," Nicklaus said to NBC News. "He's humble when he needs to be humble, and he's confident when he needs to be confident." That mix appears to be a winning combination for McIlroy, especially after this week's dominance. McIlroy smiled, "You can always call yourself a major champion, and hopefully after this, I can call myself a multiple major champion."