Rory McIlroy dedicates 2014 Open Championship victory to his mother

Rory McIlroy dedicates 2014 Open Championship victory to his mother

Rory McIlroy embraces his mother, Rosie, after winning The Open Championship at Hoylake.

Rory McIlroy dedicated his Open Championship victory to his mother, Rosie, after claiming the Claret Jug by two shots at Hoylake. The Northern Irishman, who has now won three major titles, was embraced by his mother after holing the winning putt. At 17 under par McIlroy saw off the challenge of Sergio García and Rickie Fowler, who tied second, with a final round of 71.

“This is the first major I have won when my mum has been here,” McIlroy said. “So mum; this one is for you. It was just great to see her on the back of the 18th there and how much it meant to her. I was trying not to cry at the time because she was bawling her eyes out.

“The Open is the one we all want and the one we strive for. To be holding the Claret Jug is an incredible feeling.”

McIlroy held a six-stroke lead at the start of the final day. The closest any of his challengers got to the 25-year-old was to within two.

“Today wasn’t easy,” McIlroy said. “There were a few guys making runs at me out there.

“I knew I had some holes where I could make birdie and 16 was the real hole for me which I think settled the championship.”

There is no prospect of McIlroy’s motivation being blunted by this triumph.

“I want to be the guy that goes on and wins majors and wins majors regularly, wins tournaments,” he added. “I’d love to be in that position.

“I’ve had chances before to kick on from there. I did after my second major at Kiawah Island. I kicked on for another six months and played really well.

“I just want to think ahead and go forward and try and win as many tournaments and as many majors as I can, because I feel like there’s a lot more left in me.”

McIlroy received only pantomime boos when thanking the Royal Liverpool crowd for their support during his post-round speech on the 18th green. McIlroy had pointed out he was a Manchester United supporter.

More serious was the incident with a spectator on the 16th tee, whom McIlroy had removed.

“He was giving me grief all day,” McIlroy said. “And I sort of put up with it for the first 15 holes, and then he deliberately coughed on my downswing on the 16th tee. I still hit a great drive. But I heard it halfway down and I knew who it was. So I turned round and got him chucked out, thankfully.”

García had cause to be content with his latest prominent major finish. The Spaniard now has two second places in the Open to his name and a further three top-10 places.

“I think both Rickie and I tried to push Rory as hard as we could,” García said. “Obviously it’s not easy when you know that you can’t make any mistakes. I needed to shoot at least eight or nine under to have a chance.

“I think that we gave it a good effort and there was someone a little bit better.”

The case for McIlroy winning a grand slam of career major championships was made by Phil Mickelson, who has also won three out of four.

“This is a pretty impressive thing for him to do, especially given that the one that he’s missing is the Masters,” Mickelson said. “And you know, with his length and the way he plays and how well he plays that golf course, that definitely will happen and probably soon.

“It just shows that he’s such a complete player at such a young age.”