After winning his first major at the 2011 US Open, Rory McIlroy was viewed as the next big thing within professional golf, and the Northern Irishman lived up to expectations.
McIlroy’s 2011 Masters capitulation was quickly forgotten after he stormed to victory at Congressional Country Club. The Northern Irishman’s US Open win made the golfing world take note.
Another major would follow in 2012 at the PGA Championship before McIlroy lifted the Wanamaker Trophy once more at Valhalla in 2014 and clinched his first Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool.
Since then, although majors have deserted him, McIlroy has more than lived up to the hype which followed him during the early part of his career.
Davis Love III tips USA stars to become next Rory McIlroy
One of McIlroy’s best wins came at the 2012 Honda Classic when he fended off a red-hot Tiger Woods at PGA National.
Davis Love III was also at the right end of the leaderboard, and the American was asked about McIlroy’s exploits during his press conference.
Love III went on to name three American players he believed were capable of emulating McIlroy’s success.
“I think there’s a big group of them. Keegan winning a major last year, and he’s playing‑‑ off to a great start. Everybody wants it to be Rickie Fowler. But there’s a lot of guys; Kyle Stanley hits the ball so good, makes so many birdies,” he said.
“I don’t know who it could be. But there’s a big group of five or six of them.”
Rickie Fowler, Kyle Stanley and Keegan Bradley’s PGA Tour records
Stanley was once tipped as the next big thing in the United States. However, the 37-year-old has now fallen into the golfing wilderness. Stanley played just two events in 2024 and last played a full season in 2023.
He won twice on the PGA Tour, the first coming at the 2012 Phoenix WM Open and his second in 2017 at the Quicken Loans National.
Fowler has won six times on the PGA Tour, his first victory coming in 2012 at the Wells Fargo Championship. However, he has yet to claim an elusive major championship title. The American was in contention at the 2023 US Open before falling away in the final round.
Bradley has arguably had the most illustrious career. The 38-year-old ticked off his first major win in 2011 and is now the USA’s Ryder Cup captain for the Bethpage Black event.
What’s more, now in the twilight of his career, Bradley is arguably playing his best golf and won last year’s FedEx Cup playoff event in Denver.
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