Will the U.S. Open again show its love for the Irish?
Barring a final-round meltdown Sunday at Congressional Country Club, Rory McIlroy will become the second consecutive player from Northern Ireland to win this major after Graeme McDowell did so a year ago. Not that a meltdown isn’t possible; McIlroy shot an 80 in the final round to blow the Masters in April.
Still, the Open has been a redemption tour for McIlroy since the opening tee, while McDowell enters the final day at even-par. A second-day 74 likely ended his chances of defending his Open title.
Yet, the pair have captivated the tournament. Outside of Y.E. Yang’s steady challenge, Phil Mickelson’s miscues and Fredrik Jacobson’s five birdies in six holes on Saturday, McIlroy and McDowell were the stories. Indeed, the pair are linked as closely as their world rankings; McDowell is seventh, one better than McIlroy.
How does a country of that size deliver a one-two punch like that?
It’s a small world around the Northern Ireland links, say McIlroy and McDowell. Both are from working-class roots and learned the game on local courses. Now after McDowell became the first European to win the U.S. Open since Englishman Tony Jacklin in 1970, he is inspiring McIlroy.
“I don’t know if it gives me added confidence. It definitely gives me added incentive,” McIlroy said. “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. It’s nice to have a chance going into the weekend to win the trophy that he won last year.”
The two feed off each other even though McDowell is nine years older than McIlroy. However, both have learned from predecessor Darren Clarke, 42, a 13-time European champion whose best finish in the U.S. Open was 10th in the 1999. McIlroy was 10 years old when he asked Clarke for tips during a chance meeting. McDowell has long followed his elder countryman.
McIlroy delivered some expensive lessons of his own to McDowell in 2007. The two often play practice rounds together.
“I played with him his first Dunhill Links when he got his Tour card back in ’07, whatever it was, ’08,” McDowell said. “I played a practice round with him at St. Andrews. I shot 68 and lost easily. I thought this kid is pretty good.
“Playing practice rounds with him can be demoralizing because you walk off feeling down on your own game when you see how he hits it. He’s potentially the next Tiger Woods. He’s that good.”
McDowell raves over McIlroy’s driving ability so much he makes him seem like the second coming of Mario Andretti. Indeed, the close friendship was on display when McDowell announced his sidekick’s moniker.
“[McIlroy’s] probably the best driver of the ball I’ve ever seen,” McDowell said. “We nicknamed him the BMW because he is the ultimate driving machine.”
McDowell won’t concede the Open until he completes his round about three hours before McIlroy finishes. But McDowell foresees the ending.
“I hope he goes on and does it because I’ve been waiting for this to happen,” McDowell said. “He’s that good; there’s no doubt about it.”
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
