“Rorymania” or “Rory Glory” whatever it’s going to be termed from now on hasn’t altered the fresh-faced smile, but the new phenomenon of world golf arrived at Royal St George’s on Tuesday and was clearly a little stunned by the reception.
Ten days of madness followed his incredible victory in the US Open at Congressional, followed by another 10 where he tried to get back to his routine and he thought he’d managed that reasonably well.
But whatever he imagined about the reaction to his first major championship victory, the reality has been even more surreal.
And while one is reassured by the benevolent presence of his avuncular manager Chubby Chandler guiding him through the chaos, he’d have to be an incredibly balanced individual especially at only 22 not to be at least a little fazed by it all.
Add to that a quote of 8-1 for him to win the Open this week pre-championship odds Tiger Woods could barely command even when at his peak and matters have galloped beyond hype and dashing madly toward hysteria.
In the eye of this media storm is the same young man who gives the appearance of naivety but, as his friend Graeme McDowell points out, has been raised and prepared for this level of superstardom since he was a small child.
“I didn’t realise how much of a fuss and buzz it would create,” McIlroy said, his every facial movement inspiring a blizzard of camera flashes when interviewed at Sandwich.
“The support I’ve had, from people back home and from everyone all over the world it seems, has been pretty overwhelming.”
He added, “I’ve noticed that over the past three weeks that this is going to be a life-changing experience.
“But it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, be one of the best players in the world and win major championships, so if I have to put up with a few things along the way, then I’m fine with that.”Personal expectationsHe wasn’t interested in any expectations about what he’d do in the Open this week and beyond that with the comparisons to Woods and Jack Nicklaus other than his own.
McIlroy said, “I don’t think I’ll be able to play that sort of golf (at Congressional) every week I tee it up I’d like to, but I don’t see it happening.
“People can say what they want, make those comparisons, I know my golf is good enough to win plenty more tournaments and that I can try to be the best player in the world.”
He added, “Can the public’s expectation be higher than my own? I don’t think so.”
Those comparisons with Woods are certainly legitimate in the way they were both groomed to be stars by ambitious parents but the McIlroy version seems a lot more benign than Tiger’s upbringing.
Instead of putting about nonsense about their boy transcending boundaries as a world leader, Gerry and Rosie McIlroy have attempted to bring up their lad as an unspoiled and refreshingly engaging young man and the relationship between father and son remains close.
His preparation of taking all three weeks off since Congressional has come under intense scrutiny everything he does will from now on but, as he pointed out, it was probably for the best.
McIlroy said, “Coming in here late on Tuesday is something I’ve done as well.
“It used to be so I could come in under the radar and I’ll not be able to do that now, but it’s the best way for me to approach the event.”