• World Rankings

Nicklaus backs McIlroy for greatness

Jack Nicklaus believes Rory McIlroy is destined for greatness, following the Ulsterman's stunning success at the US Open.

McIlroy maintained a relentless pace for four days and held his nerve on Sunday to claim an eight-shot win with the lowest total in US Open history.

It is the first of what many feel will be a huge haul of majors and Nicklaus, who has 18 majors to his name, is convinced the 22-year-old has all the components needed to regularly compete at the highest level.

"He's got a great golf swing, his rhythm is beautiful," Nicklaus told Sky Sports News. "He does not try to kill it, his tempo stays the same and he does not try to do anything unusual with the golf ball.

"He also has a great short game and I like the way he walks. He is a little cocksure about himself and I like that in a guy, to have confidence in what you are doing.

"I think this kid is going to have a great career, no question. He has all the components, he has a lot of people rooting for him and he is a nice kid. He is a pleasant personality, humble when he needs to be humble and confident when he needs to be confident."

McIlroy's reward for winning the US Open is a rise in the rankings to four in the world. Luke Donald has retained his place at No. 1 despite a disappointing tournament, while Tiger Woods continues to shed ranking points and is now down to 17 in the world.

World Rankings
1. Luke Donald (ENG), 2. Lee Westwood (ENG) 3. Martin Kaymer (GER), 4. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 5. Steve Stricker (USA), 6. Phil Mickelson (USA), 7. Matt Kuchar (USA), 8. Graeme MCDowell (NIR), 9. Jason Day (AUS), 10. Charl Schwartzel (RSA), 11. Dustin Johnson (USA), 12, Paul Casey (ENG), 13. Bubba Watson (USA), 14. Ian Poulter (ENG), 15. Nick Watney (USA), 16. KJ Choi (KOR), 17. Tiger Woods (USA), 18. Robert Karlsson (SWE), 19. Jim Furyk (USA), 20. Hunter Mahan (USA)

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