Paul Gallaghertalks to Rory McIlroy after his friend took the honours at Pebble Beach

THERE WAS a sense of competitive rivalry when Rory McIlroy took time out to praise best friend Graeme McDowell, for although he would like nothing better than to team-up with the new US Open champion at the Ryder Cup, the Holywood golfer hopes they can both be major winners by the time Celtic Manor comes in October.

Although McIlroy didn’t enjoy the best of weeks at Pebble Beach and had the weekend off, he made sure to watch his friend on television when back at home.

“I stayed up all weekend to watch the action on TV,” said McIlroy, who admitted he is still “learning” how to peak for a major. “I was actually very emotional watching it and had tears in my eyes, especially when his dad ran on to the green. It was the perfect Father’s Day and they’re such a decent family.

“G-Mac handled the pressure and himself so well when players like Tiger, Phil and Ernie were chasing him. He looked so focused and in total control. He simply outlasted them all and I think it was more of a mental thing than anything else. It definitely hasn’t sunk in with me yet, so I’m sure it hasn’t with him either. In the next few weeks he’ll realise just what an achievement it was.

“Personally, it gave me a lot of inspiration, because G-Mac is my best friend out on tour, he’s one of the lads and he gets on with everyone. Watching him on Sunday made me believe that winning a major is very, very possible.

“I spoke to him on the phone and he didn’t get away from Pebble Beach for maybe four hours after the final round due to media commitments, but their plan was to get to Monterey for a few beers,” added the 21-year-old, who plans to get to Portrush for celebratory drinks when McDowell gets home later in the week.

“My caddy, JP, sent me a text joking: ‘It’s nice G-Mac has just won his national Open’ as everyone gives him a bit of stick about his accent. So I sent the text to him and he woke me up with a phone call at 7am yesterday morning. He said: ‘What about you, partner?’ and I said ‘Major champion, how are you?’

“There is such strength-in- depth in Irish golf now and I think it all started with Pádraig winning his three majors in such short space of time. From there we’ve all fed off each other,” added McIlroy, who won at Quail Hollow with a final-round 62 last month.

McIlroy would relish the opportunity to compete once more alongside McDowell. “Obviously his win in Wales did him no harm and he’s basically guaranteed a place on the team now. We’ve competed a lot together and played well in team events like the World Cup.

“It would be great to be standing on the first tee with him at Celtic Manor and both be major champions by then. He’s got a head start on me now and I want to catch up with him soon.”