the best of the MaJor bunch
as 22-year-old rory mcilroy was floating through the final nine holes of his first major
victory sunday, the other three grand slam trophy holders—all twentysomethings themselves—took turns explaining why the kid from northern ireland will probably win a lot more
majors than the three of them combined. “i made five birdies, no bogeys on the final day of a
u.s. open,” said masters champion charl schwartzel, 26. “he’s played four rounds of what
i’ve just had.” schwartzel’s 66 earned him a t- 9 at congressional with reigning british open
champ louis oosthuizen, 28, who also shook his head in amazement while describing mcilroy’s talent. “rory’s too good a player to be upset about what happened at the masters,” said
oosthuizen. “he’s got a great temperament for a 22-year-old.” martin kaymer, the 26-year-
06
old german who won the pga championship last august, says he hopes to win another
major someday. he’s certain mcilroy will. “he has the total game to win a lot of these. drives
it long, great iron player, excellent short game and he putts well,” said kaymer. “and the way
he’s handled this week … and he’s only 22?” the winner in the How hyperbolic can you go?
sweepstakes, though, came from the 2010 u.s. open champion who would see the trophy
land in the hands of his young buddy an hour later. “i didn’t have a chance to play with tiger
when he was in his real pump, and this guy is the best i’ve ever seen, simple as that,” graeme
mcdowell said. “there have been questions in the past: ‘is he a good enough putter?‘ and ‘is
he a good enough closer?’ he’s answered those questions now.” —Craig Bestrom
chris trotman/getty images
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