Rory McIlroy proves doubters wrong with stunning win at PGA Championship
Northern Irishman's second major title stuns critics and puts him in an elite group of players
Rory McIlroy brushed aside any lingering doubts over his ability to be a dominant force in golf by storming to a second major title with a stunning eight-shot victory at the PGA Championship.
McIlroy's first big triumph, a similar eight-shot victory at last year's US Open, was followed by a series of poor showings in the majors, including a missed cut in his title defence and tying for 60th place at the British Open last month.
The latter result prompted questions to be raised about whether he was practising enough or simply spending too much time with tennis player girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki.
But after shooting a six-under-par 66 on the tough Ocean Course, the longest track ever for a major tournament, he gave a resounding answer to his critics and was not about to let slip his chance to reply to those who doubted him.
"I was a little frustrated with how I was playing earlier on in the year, but a few people in this [media] room were probably pushing panic buttons for no reason," the 23-year-old said after finishing ahead of David Lynn, a 38-year-old from England who was playing in the United States for the first time.
The criticism clearly stung and McIlroy said he had provided the perfect reply.