The 22-year-old Northern Irishman, just two months removed from a final-round collapse that cost him the U.S. Masters, gave his pursuers no quarter this time. Steadily piling up an eight-stroke lead with scores of 65-66-68, McIlroy put the hammer down Sunday with two early birdies and cruised to a final-round 69.

McIlroy’s 16-under-par total of 268 obliterated previous U.S. Open records for scoring against par and total strokes. He dismantled Congressional Country Club – softened by daily rains – with sensational play in all aspects.

Australian Jason Day, himself just 23, settled for runner-up status in a second consecutive major. Day’s closing 68 left him on 8-under, two shots clear of England’s Lee Westwood, Kevin Chappell, Y.E. Yang and Robert Garrigus. A resurgent Sergio Garcia tied for seventh while world No. 1 Luke Donald slipped to 45^th – breaking a streak of 10 straight top-10 finishes.

But this week was all about McIlroy.

The curly-locked Ulsterman dominated this U.S. Open from start to finish, recalling Tiger Woods’ 15-shot victory in 2000 at Pebble Beach. McIlroy’s opening 65 pushed him three shots clear of the field, and he would continue to dominate with long, accurate driving – he averaged 310 yards while finding 64.3% of fairways – and sterling iron play. McIlroy hit better than 86% of greens in regulation for the event.

McIlroy became not only the youngest U.S. Open champ since 1923, but the second Northern Irishman to win it in succession. Graeme McDowell, the 2010 winner and McIlroy’s close friend, acquitted himself well by tying 14^th. He was among the first to greet the youngster once the deal was done.

“Nothing this kid does ever surprises me,” McDowell said of his pal. “He’s the best player I’ve ever seen.”

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