Golfing Redemption for Rory McIlroy?

Back in April, I waxed lyrical about Northern Ireland's finest golfer and the leap of faith that Rory McIlroy needed to jump to join the immortals of golf.

That was prior to his final round at the Augusta National where he led by 4 strokes and was on the verge of a historic US Masters, green jacket victory. I watched on in dismay as he imploded on the back 9 and the dream vanished.

How would he cope with such a crushing disappointment?

US Open Records - Smashed
Well, quite remarkably, his form this week in the US Open has shown that it has not impeded on his ability to play at the highest level in the slightest.

Indeed, he has probably played the 3 greatest rounds of golf of his young sporting career. He has become in the meantime, the first golfer in the 116 year history of the US Open to reach 14 under par. His 3 rounds to date have all been sub-70 and his 54-hole total of 199 is the lowest ever recorded at the US Open. He has a commanding 8 stroke lead over his nearest rivals - double that of his lead going into the final round at the US Masters.

If he does win this evening, he will became at 22, the youngest US Open winner since the legend that is Bobby Jones won it as an Amateur back in 1923. He will also win his first major at a younger age than Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Gary Player and Seve Ballesteros.

He just needs to hold it together for the final 18 holes to fully banish that Augusta ghost from April. I've got a feeling he's going to do it and I'll be listening to his every move and shot on Radio 5 Live this evening when he does.

Good luck mate.