Rory McIlroy proved over the last four days that he may be the next big star in golf. The 25 year-old captured a wire-to-wire victory at the Open Championship to claim his third major title.
He is now one green jacket away completing the career grand slam. Only Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods recorded the first 75 percent of the grand slam younger than McIlroy. Nicklaus won a record 18 major championships, and Woods has 14.
McIlroy finished below par in every round, en route to a 17-under-par 271. His final round 71 secured a two-stroke victory.
"I'm immensely proud of myself," McIlroy said, according to The Associated Press . "To sit here, 25 years of age, and win my third major championship and be three-quarters of the way to a career Grand Slam ... yeah, I never dreamed of being at this point in my career so quickly."
He entered the final round with a six-shot lead and survived a scare as Sergio Garcia moved within two shots of the lead with four holes to play. McIlroy remained poised in biggest moments of the tournament and never relinquished the lead. Garcia, who posted a final-round 66, finished tied for second with Rickie Fowler, reports The New York Times.