Rory McIlroy at 22 years of age emulated Jack Nicklaus by making his first win on the USPGA tour a major and the US Open.
Fairhaven, MA (June 20, 2011) – In winning the 111th United States Open Championship, Titleist Brand Ambassador Rory McIlroy registered one of the all-time dominating performances in major tournament history, trusting a Titleist Pro V1x golf ball and a bag full of Titleist equipment to a historic eight-shot victory and his first major championship.
Over the four rounds at Congressional Country Club, McIlroy set or tied 12 tournament records, posting rounds of 65-66-68-69 to finish at 16-under (268), a red number that U.S. Open scoreboards had never previously displayed. For the record, they had never shown 13, 14 or 15 under, either. McIlroy also got to 17-under at one point.
At 22 years, 1 month and 5 days, McIlroy became the youngest U.S. Open champion since Bobby Jones won the 1923 U.S. Open at 21 years, 3 months and 28 days. Among his scoring records are:
• Fastest to double-digits under par (26 holes);
• Largest 36-hole lead (T-6);
• Low first-36 holes (131);
• Most strokes under par for 36 holes (-11);
• Low first-54 holes (199);
• Most strokes under par for 54 holes (-14);
• Low 72-hole total (268); and
• Most strokes under par for 72 holes (-16).
– Relying on Titleist from tee-to-green, McIlroy hit 62 of 72 of greens in regulation (86 percent), using his Titleist 910D3 driver, Titleist MB irons and Vokey Design Spin Milled wedges to author a legendary tale of precision and tap-in birdies. He averaged 1.65 putts per green, putting with a Scotty Cameron Newport GSS Prototype in a chromatic bronze finish that may as well have been gold. McIlroy rolled his Pro V1x golf ball in for 19 birdies, one eagle and 48 pars. He made just two bogeys and one double-bogey in 72 holes.
“I didn’t really have a swing thought this week. I was just seeing the target and hitting it. It was just one of those weeks where everything was on and it worked out the right way,” said McIlroy.
McIlroy was one of 96 players in the field at Congressional Country Club that relied on a Titleist golf ball for their success, more than five times the nearest competitor with 19 and more than all competitors combined. It marked the 63rd-consecutive year that Titleist was the #1 golf ball at the U.S. Open.
In Rory’s Bag
USGA: U.S. Open
Driver: Titleist 910D2 (8.5 degree; Fujikura Rombax 7V05 shaft)
Fairway Woods: Titleist 906F2 3-wood (13 degree; Fujikura ZCom Pro 95 shaft) and 5-wood (18 degree; Fujikura ZCom Pro 95 shaft)
Irons (3-9): Titleist MB (Project X 6.5 shafts)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design (48, 54 and 60 degree; Project X 6.5 shafts)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport GSS prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Footwear: FootJoy FJ Sport (Champ Pro Stinger spikes)
Glove: FootJoy Pure Touch Limited
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