Graeme McDowell’s declared it’s ‘lottery numbers’ the fact Rory McIlroy’s bringing back home the gleaming U.S. Open trophy.
McDowell ended his reign as champion with a pair of 69s over the weekend for a share of 17th at two under par .
And as he waited to help McIlroy celebrate his first Major’s success, the Portrushman praised McIlroy and Northern Ireland golf.
“The probability of Northern Ireland producing back‑to‑back U.S. Open champions is a lottery number, and it’s bigger than that,” said McDowell.
“The flood gates are wide open with South Africans start winning nearly back‑to‑back with Louis (Oosthuizen) and Charl (Schwatzel) and with what (Padaig) Harrington winning in 2007 and 2008 and Europeans started stepping up.
“It’s just watching your colleagues and friends and guys you play with week in and week out and doing things like that gives people the belief ‑‑ there’s no doubt my win last year has given Rory the belief to do it, and Charl and Louis and all of the above. That’s great.
“So my hat’s off to Rory this week.”
“It’s been waiting to happen. He’s been this good for a long time, and it’s great to see him, like I say, fulfill his potential. He’s an awesome player.”
Remarkably, it’s the fifth Major success for Irish players since Padraig Harrington won the 2007 British Open and the eighth for the European Tour in 16 Majors since Harrington’s victory at Carnoustie.
And Harrington, who had began his U.S. Open at Congressional in 1997, accepted the plaudits despite a final day 73 for a five over par tally and a share of 46th place.
“It’s a very strong time, but it goes in ebbs and flows, doesn’t it?”, said Harrington.
“We were strong in the ’80s, and we’re obviously strong at the moment.
“I’m sure if you picked out who was going to win the Majors two years ago, you might in essence guess who the five were going to win, so that says a lot about the European Tour.
“So there’s a lot of potential behind the guys who are winning, and it’s great for the European Tour.”
