Despite his never having won a major, odds makers established Rory McIlroy as the favorite to win the 2011 U.S. Open. The Irishman exceeded expectations, taking the event in record fashion with a four round score of 268. McIlroy, who Sports Betting Odds had listed at 10 to 1 odds to emerge victorious at Congressional Country Club, became the second youngest player (Tiger Woods) to win a major championship since Johnny McDermott captured the 1911 U.S. Open at 19 years, 10 months old.
Rory McIlroy hardly blinked at 
Congressional Country Club after his opening round 65 gave him a three stroke lead over major winners Y.E. Yang and Charl Schwartzel. With his epic fourth round collapse at The Masters a distant memory, McIlroy forged ahead, turning his strong start into a stunning weekend lead.
By Saturday McIlory had already recorded 11 birdies and one eagle, establishing the 22 year old as the top target but a distant one at best.
There would be no breakdown like the one McIlroy experienced at Augusta as he finished the third round with a three under par 68 before going on to shoot a 69 in the final round. His convincing finish made him just the third player in U.S. Open history to tally a sub-70 score in all four rounds of play.
Prior to yesterday's ground breaking victory, McIlroy had tied for 10th and missed the cut in U.S. Open action. McIlroy's wire-to-wire win also kept the U.S. Open trophy in Northern Ireland's hands for at least one more year. Graeme McDowell began the first player from the country to ever win a U.S. Open when he took first at Pebble Beach last June.
Luke Donald (+1200), the world's top ranked player and another favorite to win the 2011 U.S. Open, finished tied for 45th with a five over par 289. Phil Mickelson (+1200), who is still chasing his first U.S. Open title, closed out play with a seven over par 291.
Rory McIlroy -16 (+1000)
Jason Day -8 (+4000)
Robert Garrigus -6
Y.E. Yang -6
Kevin Chappell -6
Lee Westwood -6 (+1200)
Sergio Garcia -5 (+3500)
Peter Hanson -5
Louis Oosthuizen -4
Charl Schwartzel -4 (+5000)
Brandt Snedeker -3 (+4500)
Davis Love III -3
Heath Slocum -3
