Rory McIlroy wins US Open by eight shots

Rory McIlroy has won his first major golf championship with an eight-shot victory in the 2011 US Open at the Congressional Country Club today.

The 22-year-old golfer from Northern Island went into the final round with an eight-shot lead and held steady to finish with a two-under-par 69 to end the tournament on 16 under. McIlroy broke the record for the lowest score over 72 holes in the tournament’s 111-year history.

Australian golfer Jason Day finished second after shooting a 68 to finish the tournament at 8 under par. The result was Day’s second consecutive runner-up finish at majors after finishing in a tie for second at the Masters in April.

Four players finished at 6 under par including England’s Lee Westwood and South Korea’s Y.E. Yang.

McIlroy’s putting was flawless over the four days and became only the sixth man to win after leading at the end of every round at the US Open.

In April of this year McIlroy had a four shot lead heading into the final round of the Masters but gave it up with a final round score of 80.

As McIlroy went on his charge 23-year-old Jason Day’s exciting finish means he has now had a top 10 finish in his last three majors and is without a doubt Australia’s newest golfing star.