LONDON (AP) — Newly crowned U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy says he is confident he can handle the pressure that comes with being considered the heir apparent to Tiger Woods.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman took the first step on the road to becoming golf’s next superstar by sweeping to his first major victory in record-breaking style at the U.S. Open on Sunday.
McIlroy acknowledges the expectations around him will soar but says “as long as I can keep the commitment and dedication and put the hard work in, I don’t see why there’s any reason not to handle it.”
McIlroy won the U.S. Open by eight shots and told Sky Sports News on Wednesday that “the golf I played, I’d never played before in my life.”
