
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to his victory after a birdie putt on the 18th green during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to his victory after a birdie putt on the 18th green during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his drive from the send tee during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C., Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his drive from the send tee during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C., Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, reaches for a tossed ball on the driving range during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C., Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, reaches for a tossed ball on the driving range during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course of the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C., Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Rory McIlroy headed into the British Open last year fresh off a record victory in the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club. He struggled to a 25th-place finish at Royal St. George’s. (Associated Press)

Rory McIlroy headed into the British Open last year fresh off a record victory in the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club. He struggled to a 25th-place finish at Royal St. George’s. (Associated Press)

Rory McIlroy shoot a record-breaking 16 under par in his march to the U.S. Open championship last year at Congressional. (The Washington Times)