Factbox on Briton Rory McIlroy, who won his first major title by eight shots in the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, on Sunday.

Walking off the 18th green as the British Open champion, Rory McIlroy kept gazing at all the greats on golf's oldest trophy.

Walking off the 18th green as the British Open champion, Rory McIlroy kept gazing at all the greats on golf's oldest trophy.

After basically giving away the Masters last April, many golf experts believed the stage was too big, too soon for the young Rory McIlroy. After faltering down that nine hole stretch, how many ...

Rory McIlroy holds up the U.S. Open championship trophy, after winning the U.S. Open with a score of 16-under par at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, Sunday June 19, 2011.

Rory McIlroy rebounded from a disastrous Masters final round in April to capture the US Open early Sunday evening, outside Washington, D.C. At age 22, this is Rory McIlroy's first major championship.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, walks past the leaderboard on the 10th green during the final round of the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament in Bethesda, Md., Sunday, June 19, 2011.

BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 19: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the trophy after his eight-stroke victory on the 18th green during the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 19 ...

Rory McIlroy’s stay in the U.S. Open field nearly lasted just two days. But a birdie on the 18th hole salvaged his second round (2-over) to get him through two days at 6-under and in a tie for ...