McIlroy returns to scene of American debut

[frankie]

Certain guys are born with it

MARANA, Ariz. (AP)—Rory McIlroy made his pro debut in America, a 19-year-old from Northern Ireland identified by his freckles, the brown curls coming out of his cap and his raw talent.

He reached the quarterfinals of the Match Play Championship until he ran into the eventual champion, Geoff Ogilvy, who had to make five birdies on the back nine to hold off the kid. Ogilvy birdied the last three holes and won only one of them, the 17th, for a 2-and-1 win.

“He’s the real deal,” Ogilvy said that day. “He’s going to be around for a while.”

That was three years ago.

McIlroy returns to Dove Mountain as the reigning U.S. Open champion after smashing records at Congressional. He is No. 2 in the world and has a chance to become the second-youngest player to reach the top of the ranking if he were to win this week.

[gulfcoastplayer]

He will win one this year before Tiger does.