“This kid is going to have a great career and there is no question about it,” he said.

“He’s got all the components.  He’s got a lot of people rooting for him, and he’s a nice kid. He’s got a pleasant personality.  He’s humble when he needs to be humble.  He’s confident when he needs to be confident.”

And when Nicklaus was reminded McIlroy is some four months younger in winning a first Major than Nicklaus, Nicklaus remarked:  “Rory’s already ahead of my Major’s base and his scoring is way ahead of my pace.”

LUKE DONALD (World No. 1)

“Rory has probably the most talent I’ve ever seen from a golfer.  It’s lovely to watch him play, such a fluid motion, and he hits it far.  He’s got a great attitude on and off the golf course.

“I played with him first at Dunhill Links in St. Andrews, and he impressed me there.  He played very well.  I think that was the time he needed to finish top 10 or something to get his card on the European Tour.  He finished third.  Yeah, just a lovely game, no fear, and goes out there and plays to his strengths.

“He’s not quite dominating the game yet, but certainly will have dominated this week.  A win like that will do wonders for his self‑esteem, just like the win did for me in Arizona.

“He’s going to be tough force to reckon with.  He’s going to be high on confidence, and he’s already got the game to beat anyone.

”He comes from a background where his parents gave up a lot for him to do what he’s doing, and I think he still knows where he came from and appreciates that.  He’s very good with the fans, and it’s very good for the game.”

LEE WESTWOOD (Runner-up now three times in Majors)

“Not really, not if you’ve watched him play.  He shot 62 around Quail Hollow, which is a U.S. Open type golf course to win last year. 

“He’s been knocking on the door.  It’s amazing he’s only ever won three tournaments the amount of time he gets into contention. 

“Maybe this will give him that impetus to go forward and win more often.

Y E YANG (2009 US PGA Champion)

“I played here with Rory for two days, and my impression is that he hasn’t peaked yet.

“There’s still a lot more for him to grow on.  He’s got a great basis where most players would dream or want for, and his composure, his play, his strength, his strategy and his focus are probably ‑‑ I think he’s still growing, and it’s just scary to think about it.

“I sort of realized after nine holes on Saturday this guy is ultra‑talented, and it’s a course that really fits Rory’s game.

“Considering the whole setup of the course and how it’s designed, it probably would be very advantageous for a player like Rory.  And the fact that he had so much composure, not just because he hit it so hard and he had good strength and composure on the greens, but overall the way he was progressing hole by hole ‑‑ the first two days I didn’t really know how he played, I just saw the results. 

“But on the third day after nine holes, I finally realized that unless I play 110 percent and I have a lot of fortune on my way, I’d never catch him.”

LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN (2010 Open Champion)

“We all saw Rory’s talent a long time ago, since when he won the Dubai Desert Classic so it  was just a matter of time. 

“There was no way he was never going to win.  He hasn’t won it yet, but the way he’s playing, I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes a few more birdies. 

“But he’s too good a player, and you expect him in every major to be up there.”

MARTIN KAYMER (2010 US PGA Champion)

“It is great for Rory to win the event early in his career.  He’s only 22 years old and especially after what happened at the Masters, you know, all the eyes were on him. 

“And to finally to bring it home and to win not only, I would say, the biggest over here, anyway, besides the Masters, but it’s the U.S. Open, if you are the champion of the United States, it’s quite impressive. 

“And to be the second Irish.  I mean, I’m very happy for him and for his family, as well.  He has great parents.  It’s nice to see.”

CHARL SCHWARTZEL (2011 Masters champion)

“The way he reacted to what happened at Augusta, the way he handled it afterwards, it looked like it was going to be around the corner. 

“He put it behind him very quickly.  I think the media sort of took it a bit further and tried to see why, and he just said, well, it happened, and he sort of got on with it a lot quicker, which for him was very good, and the results are showing.

“It’s pretty spectacular what he’s done.  It looks like he’s playing a different course.  He’s played four rounds of what I’ve just had in the last.  He’s having one of those weeks that things are going, and he’s really handling it very well.

DAVIS LOVE 111  (2012 USA Ryder Cup captain)

“It’s like Rory has been about 27 in golf years.  He’s very polished on experience.  When I was 22, I didn’t have the wealth of experience he has. 

“When Scott Verplank winning a pro event as a rookie, I don’t think we’ve seen a rookie come out with his composure and be ready to play on our Tour right away like he is. 

“But Rory and Rickie Fowler are very much alike.  They’re both very mature, very well rounded, smart guys that know where they want to go and how to get there.  They’re not just trying to figure it out; they’re trying to win.”

WHAT THE PAPERS ARE SAYING:

Daily Record (UK) – “Rory McIlroy dedicates victory to Dad as he completes stunning win on Father’s Day”.

Washington Times  – “Dominate victory for McIlroy in U.S. Open ushers in new era in golf”.

Augusta Chronicle –  “McIlroy lives up to hype”.

L A Times – “McIlroy could be golf’s next superstar, without the baggage”.

Irish Independent  “Cup of Cheers. Rory dedicates win to dad on Father’s Day”.

San Francisco Chronicle – “The parade had arrived led by Rory.”

Richmond Times Despatch (Virginia) – “McIlroy dominates field on route to commanding US Open victory”.

Star Tribune – “Has golf found its new Tiger?”

San Diego Times – “Ireland unified behind golf’s success”.

Newsday.com – “America’s drought in the Majors continues”.

Toronto Star – “An open and shut case for greatness”.

Pennsylvania Patriot News:  “Mcllroy could become next global face of golf after US Open success.”

New York Times – “A fresh face star easily wins U.S. Open, and fans affection.”

Sun Times (Chicago) – “Rory Mcllroy rolls to record-setting victory.”

USA Today  – “Coronation of Rory as he wins U.S. Open”.