CONFIDENT: McIlroy
AFP/New York
Two months on from one of the most spectacular meltdowns in major golf history, Rory McIlroy says that he has put that shattering experience firmly behind him and moved on. Leading by four going into the final day of the Masters, the then 21-year-old Ulsterman was playing beautifully and the expectation was that he would win the first of many majors. Reaching the 10th, McIlroy was struggling but he still led by one, only for a horror show that ripped apart his chances with a triple-bogey seven. He eventually limped in with an eight-over 80 that evoked memories of his second-round 80 at last year’s British Open after he fired a 63 to seize the 18-hole lead. South African outsider Charl Schwartzel meanwhile went in the other direction, with birdies on the final four holes at Augusta National to swipe the Green Jacket awarded to the winner of the Masters. Many praised the way that easy-going McIlroy dealt with the blow to his self-confidence and ambitions. “It was a great experience for me. I took the positives from it of that week. There wasn’t many positives to take from the Sunday. It’s hard, it’s the first time in that situation,” the now 22-year-old said at Congressional Golf Club on Tuesday as he prepared to play in his third straight US Open. “You’re going to be feeling the pressure a little bit, and I certainly did. I felt a little differently on the Sunday than I had done the previous few days, but that’s natural. “You’re in with a great chance to win your first major and it just doesn’t happen. “But you just move on; that’s all you can do. “It’s not the end of the world. You analyze it, you pick things from it what you think you could have done better. “And when you get yourself into that position again you try and put those things that you want to do better into practice.” McIlroy is still stuck on two wins as a pro - at the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic and the 2010 Quail Hollow Championship. But his form has been consistently good enough to keep him firmly entrenched in the world top 10. He has also been spreading his wings recently in his new role as an ambassador for UN children’s organisation UNICEF, visiting Haiti at the start of the month to help raise awareness for the plight of children and families struggling to survive in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that rocked Port-au-Prince in January 2010. That was, he said, a somber experience that fully put into perspective the mundane ups and downs that can beset professional golfers. “I thought I had perspective before going to Haiti, and then actually seeing it, it just gives you a completely different view on the world and the game that you play,” he said. “It just makes you feel so lucky that I’m able just to sit here and drink a bottle of water, just the normal things that everyone does that you take for granted. “They didn’t have a clue who I was.” The Masters collapse has done little to douse enthusiasm among punters about McIlroy and he is still among the betting favourites to make it back-to-back wins for Ulstermen at the US Open following Graeme McDowell’s win at Pebble Beach last year. A McIlroy win on Sunday would not surprise two-time US Open winner Ernie Els, who was fullsome in his praise of the Irishman, who be believes could make golfing history in the years to come. “He’s got all the talent in the world. He’s a future number one without a doubt,” he said. “First time I ever saw him, I thought, he’s incredible. And he is incredible. And he’s still learning.”  Prom aims to make splash at Queen’s Cup Bangkok: Thailand’s Prom Meesawat insists he is back on form as he bids to end a five-year Asian Tour title drought at the Queen’s Cup teeing off today on the holiday isle of Samui. The 26-year-old, a former world junior champion, has been working with a sports psychologist following a slump in his game over the last few years which saw him lose his Tour card. “I’m very happy with my game. I’m still working with my coach and sports psychologist and the goal will be to maintain the form that I’ve been showing over the past few months,” Prom said Wednesday, following three straight top-10s this season. The field he is up against includes title holder Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan, Bangladeshi Siddikur, who is second on the Order of Merit, former Asian number one Jyoti Randhawa of India, in-form South African Jbe Kruger, who is fourth on the rankings, and local stars Prayad Marksaeng, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Chinnarat Phadungsil. Prom, nicknamed the Big Dolphin for his physique and the fact he hails from coastal Hua Hin, was tipped for greatness when he won his first Asian Tour title in Korea in 2006 but the road to glory proved to be more winding than expected.