The Rory McIlroy Postulation

I watched golf’s U.S. Open this weekend and rooted for Rory McIlroy -- even though I hardly knew who he was. But here’s why I, a sports fan who only watches golf during the Major’s that have a good storyline, paid attention this weekend:

1) Rory McIlroy imploded at the previous big tournament and was completely outpacing the entire field and

2) His wasn’t named Tiger Woods.

McIlroy had a redemption/feel-good vibe about him and it was intriguing. Along side of the “will he crack again in the final round” plotline, I wanted McIlroy to win. I wanted him to win because he was demolishing U.S. Open records, a lot that Tiger Woods held.

I didn’t like Woods long before he drove a car into a tree. I did not, do not and will never like Tiger Woods because he’s too good and too big of an asshole on and off the gold course. What’s the fun in rooting for him?

Now, Rory McIlroy could be as big of a jerk as Tiger Woods, but I do not know that yet. All I knew this weekend was that he was breaking records and putting Woods and his records in the rearview mirror. In twelve months times I could hate Rory McIlroy for the same reasons I detest Tiger Woods. But that did not matter this weekend.

For this weekend, Rory McIlroy made golf matter to me. Will he be able to do it again?