Many commentators are suggesting that now Rory McIlroy has won his first major title he will dominate the future of golf for some years to come, filling the void left by Tiger Woods in the past couple of years following a recurring knee problem and a breakdown in his personal life.

McIlroy has got much to live up to if he is going to be as successful as Tiger Woods who has won three US Open titles in 2000, 2002 and most recently in 2008 when he was playing with the knee injury that subsequently had him miss the rest of the 2008 season.  Since his return Tiger Woods had failed to find his form and is now in danger of dropping out of the top 20 world ranking.

Rory McIlroy will need to win the US Open a further three times to equal the record of four wins jointly held by Willie Anderson, A-Robert T. Jones, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus.  The latter being a mentor to the young Irishman over the past two years.

The next major championship in the golf calendar is the British Open which this year is being held at the Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent.  So why not go online and buy a new set of golf clubs learn to play the shots the pros make look so simple.

You can buy the same golf clubs, balls and clothes as Rory McIlroy at Direct Golf.

22 year old Rory McIlroy became the youngest player to win the US Open for 88 years and the first to lead at the end of all four rounds since Tiger Woods in 2002.  In doing so he will have wiped the memory and pain of his disaster at Augusta where he was in a similar position after three rounds, only the fall apart on the final day.

Though he is still only 22 years old, big things have been expected of Rory McIlroy since he turned pro in 2007 at the sprightly age of 17.  The weight of expectation was placed on his shoulders when Tiger Woods stated that McIlroy was the future of golf.  And though over the past four years he has come close, he has never been able to keep in the zone for four days solid; until now.

On completing his final round, 2010 US Open champion, fellow compatriot and close friend Graeme McDowell said Rory McIlroy was the best golfer he has ever seen.  Strong words coming from a man who has played with Tiger Woods on several occasions.

Rory McIlroy has now officially arrived on the world stage.  The US crowds love him and with a deflated Tiger Woods, the biggest sponsors in the world will be queuing up to have a piece of his fame.  But it could have been so different if he had cracked under the pressure, as he did at Augusta in the US Masters in April when he went into the final day with a four stroke lead and finished in joint 15th after a final round of 80. If the same choking capitulation had happened to Rory McIlroy yesterday at Congressional it may have had a lasting psychological effect.  That is something McIlroy had been working on among other things with golf legend Jack Nicklaus who has acted as a mentor to McIllroy over the past two years.

As it is, this morning Rory McIlroy wakes up to realise it wasn’t all a dream after winning his first Major championship and with it will no doubt be the favourite to win next month’s British Open Championship at Royal St. George’s in Sandwich, Kent.

Over the past few years the British contingent has become ever stronger with the likes of Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington and Paul Casey leading the charge.  But as critics continue to place high accolades on Northern Ireland’s Rory McIllroy, no one mentioned the name of Northern Ireland’s quiet man, Graeme McDowell.

It was because Tiger Woods was returning from another injury that for the first time in many years Woods was not favourite to win the 2010 US Open, that mantle was placed on the shoulders of Americas’ favourite golfer, Phil Mickelson.

But Mickelson never really got going, and when Graeme McDowell lost the lead to Dustin Johnson going into the fourth and final round, and Tiger Woods had helped boost his chances with a fantastic round of 66 on the third day, I was erring towards another Tiger Woods grandstand finish.  But McDowell kept his nerve to win by one shot over Gregory Havret.  Ernie Els was third and after a late charge by Phil Mickelson, he tied with Tiger Woods in fourth place, three shots behind McDowell.

At just 30 years old, 2010 currently belongs to Graeme McDowell as his amazing US Open Golf Championship victory at Pebble Beach follows his victory in this month’s Wales Open at Celtic Manor.  Next up, the British Open at St. Andrews.

The Golf Book

Chicken Soup for the Soul has teamed up with Golf Digest magazine to present The Golf Book – a collection of 101 real life, inspirational stories written by US PGA tour pros, US celebrities, sports writers and amateurs.

They share everything from the moment they fell in love with the game, tales of adventure playing golf all over the world and even some very touching moments about pure friendship.

Trust instinct to the end even though it render no reason, my father used to say. I’ve heeded this advice my entire life, not only to know which kind of shot to hit in a golf tournament, but also when to walk away from certain people in business, writes PGA champion Gary Player in his story, Trusting Instincts.

The book’s editor, Max Adler of Golf Digest magazine, recounts his experience caddying at the Old Course at St Andrews while studying abroad in Scotland, and the reverence he felt for the course.

“In two years living in St Andrews, I estimate I went around the Old Course about 120 times, equal parts playing and caddying,” writes Adler.  “And every single time I got to the 16th tee, without fail, the mood of the round changed. The 16th tee is the point where the quality and history of each shot left to be played is overwhelming. If your heart doesn’t skip as you walk over the legend-worn stones of the ancient Swilcan Bridge, you’re not a golfer, perhaps not even human.”

In Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Golf Book, you’ll also read about:

• How New York Times sports columnist Dave Anderson realized being a spectator at a pro golf tournament was better than any other sports event

• How SportCenter’s John Buccigross played a round of golf with one of his sports heroes, Hockey Hall of Famer Raymond Bourque

• How Kenny G learned never to give up during a game of golf because anything can happen

• How popular singer-songwriter Josh Kelley’s love of golf helped to cultivate his music career

The Golf Book is an amusing, light-hearted read.  Perfect for a relaxing day at the beach, dreaming of a day at the golf course.

Free Competition

Please Note: This competition is now closed

Enter our Free Competition to be one of 5 lucky winners who will each receive a copy of The Golf Book

To enter the competition all you need to do is correctly answer the following question:

Which young Irish golfer came fourth in the recent US PGA Championship?

Send your entries to freecompetition@buzzinmedia.co.uk with The Golf Book Comp in the subject line with your answer and your full address and contact telephone number.

This Buzzin Golf Free Competition ends on 21st September, 2009. The editor will randomly choose 5 winners.

The editor’s choice is final.

The Bethpage State Park public course is difficult enough to play at the best of times.  But the weather made it harder still.

That said, unknown American Ricky Barnes, currently ranked 519th in the world rankings is still in the lead on a very respectable -7 after completing just one hole of their fourth round yesterday.  A lead he now shares with fellow American, Lucas Glover.

Phil Mickelson is still in with a shout on -2 along with Hunter Mahan and the only real British contenders, Ross Fisher and David Duval.

Tiger Woods is seven shots behind the leader (level) after completing 7 holes.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions for the spectators, so I can’t imagine what it was like for the players. Although, it has to be said that the play-off was conducted in good spirits with Woods and Mediate sharing jokes along the way. I guess it was a ‘laugh or else you’ll cry situation’.

It was Tiger Woods who started the 18-hole play-off the stronger. Mediate bogeyed the first hole and the World number one looked set for a comfortable victory at the 10th – he led by three shots and was looking solid.

It all changed in the back nine though. Tiger Woods bogeyed two holes in a row and Mediate birdied three in succession to turn the match in the veteran’s favour. Mediate then led by one shot until the last hole of the play-off – but this is where it all started getting breathtakingly fascinating.

The noise around the course was unbelievable as Mediate missed the fairway with his tee shot, with screams of ‘Tiger, Tiger, Tiger’ leaving no doubt as to who the crowd were following. The fans’ favourite finds himself at the edge of the green in two shots, with an eagle beckoning. After emerging from the bunker, Mediate then gives himself a chance of a birdie, finding the green with his third shot.

It was getting a bit much at this stage. Even I was sweating! The outside chance of an eagle for Tiger Woods goes begging – just. Then occurred a ‘hold your breath’ moment. Mediate was putting for the Championship. The man who hardly anyone backed when in came to golf betting had the chance to defeat Tiger Woods and win the US Open – with one putt. Talk about pressure.

Unfortunately, but almost inevitably, he missed. Tiger Woods then sinks his putt to birdie and Mediate secures par. It was sudden-death time and in my mind there was only one winner at this stage.

In what was only the third sudden-death in US open history, Tiger Woods won it on the first hole. Mediate didn’t help himself as his tee shot which he finds a bunker, while his opponent finds the middle of the fairway. It was all over bar the shouting.

Tiger Woods goes onto win the hole and with it his 3rd US open title. He has since described it as ‘the greatest tournament I ever had’ and I can’t disagree. It’s probably the best I’ve ever watched. We really are lucky to be able to watch the best golfer ever to grace the sport. Even when he has to limp around for 91 holes, he still delievers the goods. Credit to Rocco Mediate as well, he played his part in what was one of the most fabulous sporting events in recent years.

The focus is on the Open Championships from Birkdale now as far as golf is concerned. If it is half as entertaining as the golf we have witnessed over the last few days – we are in for a treat.

The commentators were expecting him to fall away and leave the title to either Lee Westwood or Tiger Woods, but he ended 72 holes of golf at Torrey Pines on 0ne-under par.

Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood were the final pairing, and it was left for both to birdie the 18th to force a three-way play-off with the 45-year-old veteran, Rocco Mediate who until today was outside the world’s top 100 and still to win his first major event.

Against all the golf odds, Tiger, who was in discomfort all weekend with his knee after undergoing surgery, sunk a 12foot putt on the 18th to go one-under and gain joint leadership with Mediate.

The UK’s Lee Westwood also done well to stay in contention over the whole weekend, as he was looking to become Europe’s first US Open winner since Tony Jacklin in 1970.

Unfortunately, the 35-year-old finished on level par after missing with a 20ft birdie putt, leaving Mediate and Woods to play a further round of golf today.

The head-to-head for the US Open title 2008 starts 5PM UK time.

As if the pressure isn’t enough for Rocco Mediate, Tiger has an excellent record in major play-offs, winning his previous two at the 2000 US PGA and 2005 Masters and golf betting will be expecting him to win.

Tiger Woods would have been joint leader overnight, but Appleby birdied the 18th with a huge putt to secure a solid round of 70. Other players in amongst the leaders include Rocco Mediate, Robert Karlsson and Britain’s very own – Mr Lee Westwood. The 35-year-old is certainly flying the flag as far as Britain is concerned, joining Karlsson and Mediate on one under par at the end of day two.

In terms of the other British players, Luke Donald is still in with a shout on level par and after briefly holding the lead, Owen Wilson has an outside chance as he joins a group of players on one over par – just four shots off the lead.

It was a day to forget for Ian Poulter though – he didn’t even make it past the 15th hole. The man famous for his ‘unique’ fashion sense was forced to withdraw with a wrist injury after recording a double-bogey on both the 14th and 15th hole.  Justin Rose hasn’t exactly had a memorable couple of days either. After finishing a respectable 10th last year, the Englishman failed to make the cut, as did European favourite Colin Montgomerie.

There is no doubting that all the attention is on Tiger Woods though as we approach day three of the US Open. Even an injury can stop a man, who is arguably one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. He was visibly in pain throughout, but managed to birdie four holes out of five in the back nine. This was in response to a fairly horrific start to the day when he hit to bogeys in his first three holes. Most players wouldn’t have recovered, but as we know – Tiger is no normal golfer.

In terms of US Open betting, how can anyone look beyond the American now? Everyone around him will be wary of the threat he provides and I expect him to be leading the tournament by the end of day three.

You wouldn’t be surprised if Tiger Woods returns from this injury lay off, playing as well as ever. He does, after all, seem to write his own scripts these days. Tiger will have missed the competitive atmosphere over the last few weeks and this could potentially scupper his chances, but mentally he is likely to be as confident as ever. A decent opening round and it will feel like he has never been away.

Interestingly, Woods has today been paired with world number two Phil Mickleson and third-ranked Adam Scott for this years’ tournament. The fact he and Mickleson will be playing together will cause the most interest as despite constant denials by both players, they are thought not to be the best of friends.

This is an interesting one for me. Fair enough, it is in their best interests to be ‘friends’ when playing together at the Ryder Cup. However, does it really matter what type of relationship they have when competing against each other? They are the two highest ranked golfers in the world and I for one wouldn’t expect them to get on. They are both competitive individuals and are bound to have some sort of rivalry. No-one expects Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger to be friends, so why should it be any different in golf?

With quick consideration to US Open betting itself, interest is developing in there being a European winner of the tournament for the first time in 38 years. That really it an amazing amount of time. Even when you consider that Europe’s finest are often the great underachievers in major tournaments. Europe’s hopes seem to lie in the hands of Justin Rose, Paul Casey, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington or Sergio Garcia. These are talented golfers who are all regulars on the PGA tour so there shouldn’t be any reason they can’t emerge victorious.

Of course, if they do so, they will have to beat the main man – Tiger Woods. However, if there is any year where he is just the slightest bit vulnerable, this could be it. The combination of lack of competitive action, his relationship with Mickleson and a recently repaired knee could pave the way for a European to end 38 years of waiting. Here’s hoping.

Last year Angel Cabrera became the first South American to win the U.S. Open but this year, can anyone see passed the mighty Tiger Woods?

After stating at the beginning of the season that he was aiming to win all five major events this year, and losing by three shots to Trevor Immelman at the US Masters championship, Tiger will be fired up for this one.

The Torrey Pines Golf Course is a long course so big hitters should have the upper hand.

So if Tiger slips up or starts poorly and leaves himself too much to do on the final round, like he did at The Masters, who will be there to sneak a victory? How about big-hitter Phil Mickelson?

Ignoring the fact that he missed the cut last year, due in part because he was not 100% fit to play, he has previously been runner-up on four occasions.

Having looked at the PGA Tour odds, my money is going on Mickelson, how about yours?