Mcilroy is on the fast track to No. 1
MARANA, Arizona - Hunter Mahan figured out the fuss over Rory Mcilroy without any help.
Mahan listened, but was not surprised, when fans called out Mcilroy's name along the fairways of Dove Mountain. There is a certain appeal about Boy Wonder that makes it hard for people not to stare when he walks past them.
Mahan agrees with all the talk about Mcilroy's bid to become No. 1. He just wanted to make sure it didn't happen at his expense Sunday in the Match Play Championship. Mahan, as much as any American player, has seen this day coming.
They first played against each other three years ago in the Match Play — it was Mcilroy's pro debut in America — and the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland birdied the last two holes for a 1up win in the second round.
A year later, Mahan and Zach Johnson faced Mcilroy and Graeme Mcdowell in a foursomes match at the Ryder Cup. The Americans were 3 down after just seven holes and wound up losing.
So when Mahan talked about his tough road to the championship match, and how he had to beat five great players to get there, he quickly added, "I've got to beat one more incredible player to win."
That's what Mahan did Sunday to capture his second World Golf Championship title.
Even though that win moves Mahan closer to the elite among American golfers, he should understand why more people left the West Coast still buzzing about Mcilroy, and how much better he can get.
Mcilroy would have had to win the Match Play to replace Luke Donald at No. 1.
That now seems inevitable.
" He'll get there," Mahan said. "I mean, he's phenomenal. He's really talented. He'll be No. 1 eventually. I'm not worried about it. I'm sure he's not."