Thrilled and Inspired by Rory McIlroy's Historic US Open Win

As weekends go, this will never go down as one of my best — some personal dramas definitely interfered with my ability to enjoy the U.S. Open.  But Rory McIlroy did a lot to cure me from my malaise.  Not only was he brilliant as a golfer — but also as a human being.  Such humility, grace, and sportsmanship.  It was truly inspiring to see someone find their greatness and to share in it.

And kudos to the American crowds — live and online — for embracing the kid from Northern Ireland.  America has lost four majors in a row, but it doesn’t seem to matter.  It’s a global sport, and we’re a global society.

And finally–what fun, the way social media makes us feel more connected.  My little kick came when I was following the trends on twitter, and saw a pic that Rory himself took from his press conference of the US Open trophy — then two minutes later on Golf Channel saw him taking the same pic.  It’s interesting — we always experience these things vicariously, but something like that–seeing the very photo that Rory himself took in that moment when he had just won–let’s us share the moment with him in a way that was never possible before.

You go, Rory!

Finally — I was going to try to write something more thoughtful about this, but I don’t have to — someone else already did:

To walk with McIlroy at Congressional has been to witness a new dawn; in golf certainly and maybe in sport. The 22 year-old has in his own characteristic and

beautiful way returned effortless grace to the centre of the golfing enterprise. His swing has been deconstructed by the experts and adjudged to be as perfect a motion as might be achieved, a thing of bio-mechanical wonder, transforming complexity into art. Nicklaus observed that he was way ahead of him at the same age.

And on the inside, too, there is a generous soul refreshingly free of artifice, one that sees the good in life not bad. McIlroy is the kind of lad who lets others pass through doors first, who says please and thank you. And he has utterly lit up the US Open almost perceptibly drawing a line under the Tiger years of ruthless, death-mask diplomacy.

McIlroy is the anti-Woods, smiling his way into the hearts of America, spreading joy after the tears of Augusta.

Enough said.  Congrats Rory!