Since Rory McIlroy‘s record-breaking victory in the U.S. Open, comparisons to Tiger Woods have been fast and loose. One such account came from a prominent member of the press who openly rooted for McIlroy in the media room, then applauded his Sunday Q&A.
But does the rush to anoint the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland have as much to do with his accessibility, humility and engaging personality (in contrast to Woods) as it does with his talent and resume?
Before we make Rory into the next Tiger, consider the following. McIlroy has just three victories on the PGA and European tours. And those wins are outnumbered by his near misses — second (five), third (nine), fourth (five) or fifth place (five).
At a comparable age (22 years, one month), Woods had more victories on both tours (seven) than he had finishes in second (two), third (four), fourth (one) or fifth place (one).
From the time Woods turned professional, he was a stone-cold closer. Consider his record in playoffs (15-3). By the time he reached McIlroy’s age, Woods had disposed of major champions Ernie Els and Tom Lehman and a future major champion, Davis Love III, in extra holes.
How did McIlroy fare in his lone playoff? He missed a 5-footer on the 72nd hole that would have won the European Masters. Two holes later, he missed from 18 inches to fall to Jean-Francois Lucquin.
McIlroy’s eight-stroke win at the U.S. Open was a spectacular feat on arguably golf’s grandest stage. But a better measure of his greatness will come when he stares down a big-time foe on the back nine of a major and drains a must-have 12-footer on the 18th hole on Sunday.
