by Jeff Skinner
Rory McIlroy is the Champion Golfer of the Year and a grand champion he is. His final eighteen holes around Royal Liverpool wasn’t a coronation or a victory lap as many had proposed. The day certainly had its share of drama as Rory was nearly chased down by Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler.
Playing with a big lead on the final day of a major championship isn’t as easy as one may think. Sergio (66) and Rickie (67) did all they could to try and over take Rory but his lead was too great. Rory’s one under 71 was more than enough to claim his third major championship.
When he needed to hit a fairway he did. When he needed to hit a recovery shot he did. And when he needed to sink a putt he did. Rory looked calm and collected all day even when he hit the rare wayward shot.
Rory goes by the nickname “Rors” and is called the “Celtic Tiger” by the Irish press but today he earned the moniker “BMW” as in he is the Ultimate Driving Machine. He drove it far and true and used his big stick to capture his most beloved major.
With Rory and Rickie and Sergio trading shots all day it seemed like a prize fight had broken out at Hoylake. We were treated to a wonderful display of golf by a trio of golfers that are as likable as any in the game. 
Rickie who finished tied for second in his second straight major is so very easy to like. He’s colorful, honest, fun loving and plays a great game. Beneath that “now generation” flat brim lies an old soul who plays an old school game. He respects the game and everything that goes with being a celebrity.
A few years ago it was difficult to like the Sergio that whined about his poor luck and griped about anything that crept under his thin skin. But now, Sergio is a different golfer and a different man. The whole Tiger/Fried chicken fiasco caused a bit of upheaval in Sergio’s life. And I believe he is a better man for it. He came out of that with a new perspective and has finally matured into a more responsible and accommodating person. It’s easy to cheer for someone who has come out of a difficult time and the fans at Hoylake showed Sergio plenty of love. He returned that in spades with his salute and kisses to the crowd on eighteen.
Rory has been a fan and media favorite from the first time his floppy curls teed it up. Even though he has had some difficulties on and off the course recently Rory has kept his composure for the most part. There was that walk off “tooth ache” episode but we have to remember that he and Rickie are still kids. That being said, Rory is loved worldwide and he himself admits to growing up a lot recently. Living a life in a fishbowl isn’t easy even if it is by choice. Rory is just a very likable guy. He likes to have fun is always candid and embraces his millions of fans. There weren’t many fans rooting against Rory today. He has them all in the palm of his Open Champion hands.
For my money that is what made today’s final round so captivating. We had three appealing players that respected one another and are actually friends going at it in a big way. We cheered for each as they made great shots and felt the pain when they hit a poor one.
This Open Championship may have been all about Rory’s wire to wire win but to me it was so much more. These three guys put on a great show today. There was skilled golf, honest camaraderie and true respect for each other.
Rory leads a generation of twenty-somethings whose time is now. The game couldn’t have a brighter future.
Related Articles
