Records tumbled, rivals were staggered and the crowds had their money’s worth when last Sunday Rory McIlroy eased through the most austere labyrinth in the world of golf. With an astonishing final score of 16-under, 268 at the Congressional Country Club, McIlroy grabbed the US Open as his maiden major title. McIlroy demonstrated a golfing brand too mature for his 22 years. Universally flaunted as the ‘Next Tiger Woods’, young McIlroy is the vanguard of the adolescents’ domination in golf which has meant that all four of the current Major champions are in their 20s – a clear indication of the precipitous ascent of youth in the recent past.
The sheer brilliance of McIlroy’s performance cannot be properly weighed through last week’s evidence alone. Couple the events at the Congressional Country Club with what unfolded at the Augusta Masters in April and one can envisage the magnitude of the triumph. At Augusta, McIlroy kicked off the final day as the 11-under par leader and eventually succumbed to the cumbersome load of expectation, as he shot an abysmal 80 to finish 4-under par and tied for 15th overall.
Facing an evocatively similar position on the fourth day at Congressional, Northern Ireland’s golfing prodigy stuck to his guns and attacked each of the 18 holes en route to banishing the memories of the Masters meltdown. McIlroy’s putting, especially in crunch situations, was immaculate. His memorable tee shot at 10 on Sunday personified himself – balanced, accurate and daring, a rather unnanny personification of his own self. McIlroy was not intimidated by the chasing YE Yang’s bold tee shot; and his own six-iron swung perfectly in reply. Under pressure and facing the most defining moment of the Open, McIlroy bettered Yang’s effort by landing it within six inches of the hole for a comfortable birdie.
That moment, there and then, announced that it was game, set and match!
The youngest US Open champion since Bobby Jones 1923 and the youngest major champion since Tiger Woods in 1997, Rory McIlroy is the second successive Northern Irishman to lift the US Open following Graeme McDowell’s success at Pebble Beach last year. Unmistakably British golf is on the up as the US slump continues with no major champions in the last five championships. With 11 different Major winners in the last eleven events, and the void left by Tiger still not appositely filled – the excitement engulfing the sport is on an all-time high. Rory McIlroy is leading the way as the golf field is open and the throne is up for grabs.
Andre Villas-Boas Chelsea’s new manager
One infertile season and Ancelloti was shown the door. The club had been playing “guess who” for a while, and finally this week revealed the identity of the mystery man designated to turnaround the fortunes of the sumptuous club from London. Abramovich has thrown down the gauntlet for the young Portuguese to pick up and propel himself and the club forward. Chelsea’s youthful appointment seems to be a long-term investment.
The youngest club manager to win a European title, Villas-Boas accomplished the feat with Porto in last season’s epoch-making treble. Imbued with tactical nous, Chelsea’s new manager is already renowned for combining effectiveness with breathtaking football. His Porto team didn’t merely beat their opponents, they overpowered them with attacking expertise. The exuberant Portuguese has all the ingredients to whet the appetite of the Chelsea faithful. However, succeeding in the Premier League and the Champions’ League is a different kettle of fish altogether.
A lot depends on the authority that is going to rest with the new man. Decreeing transfer activity, and interference in first team matters can become a nuisance for any football manager, and Chelsea’s recent past is marred with an embarrassment of such actions – January’s Torres fiasco being a prime example. If Abramovich can finally let go of his intrusive instincts, and for the first time in seven years give complete command of the on-field affairs to the manager, Villas-Boas has the aura of someone who might have what it takes to fulfill the Russian owner’s wish-list.
Integration of new blood to complement the existing squad is something that accompanies changes in management. Villas-Boas’ foremost task should be to blend in youth in the squad which famously became the victim of Sir Alex Ferguson’s “aging together” punt a couple of years back. The spine of the squad (Terry, Lampard, and Drogba) has penetrated into the wrong side of the 30s; rejuvenation is the order of the day. The word is that Falcao is already on his way to Chelsea in a 26.5 million pounds swoop.
Having been an integral part of Jose Mourinho’s managerial entourage, Andre Villas-Boas’ signing is also reminiscent of the hype generated by Mourinho’s move from Porto in 2004. The comparisons are inevitable. Although he doesn’t come across as someone who is going to self-proclaim to be the “special one”, and he might not be a permanent feature in the ‘quotes of the week’ but if the latest Portuguese coach can conjure up even half of the impact the previous Portuguese did – we’re definitely in for a thrill-a-minute ride!
Andy Murray’s golden chance
Murray’s progress during the first week at SW19 hasn’t exactly been flawless. However the Scott has managed to carve out a passage to the second week and set up an intriguing fourth round meeting with Richard Gasquet. After three Grand Slam final heartaches, Murray has the ideal opportunity to satisfy the expectant nation and throw the monkey off his back.
An obvious thorn in his quarter, three-time finalist Andy Roddick was gunned down by Spain’s Feliciano Lopez. This has paved the way for the world number four to soar into the final weekend, although Lopez himself can be a potential banana skin in the quarter final.
Murray should filter through to the semi final, which can potentially set up a mouth-watering clash with defending champion Rafael Nadal. Rafa still hasn’t unpacked his air of invincibility and might have left that particular suitcase in Paris. But with Rafa you don’t know. At the business end of an event, he can blow anybody out of the court.
The usual suspects in the other half, Federer and Djokovic are looking comfortable. But if Murray can continue to be positive and aggressive, he should fancy his chances against whoever is across the net on 3rd July.