Irishman silences the critics

Rory McIlroy brushed aside any lingering doubts over his ability to be a dominant force in golf by storming to a second Major title with a stunning eight-shot win at the PGA Championship on Sunday.

McIlroy's first big triumph, a similar eight-shot victory at last year's US Open, was followed by a series of poor showings in the Majors, including a missed cut in his title defence and tying for 60th place at the British Open last month.

The latter result prompted questions to be raised about whether the Northern Irishman was practising enough or simply spending too much time with tennis player girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki.

On Sunday, shooting a six-under-par 66 on the tough Ocean Course, the longest track ever for a Major tournament, he gave a resounding answer to his critics and was not about to let slip his chance to reply to those who doubted him.

"I was a little frustrated with how I was playing earlier on in the year, but a few people in this (media) room were probably pushing panic buttons for no reason," the 23-year-old said.

The criticism clearly stung and McIlroy said he had provided the perfect reply.

"I do not think I could have answered it in any better way and to be honest . it did motivate me.

"I did want to go out there and prove a few people wrong and that is what I did. It took me all of four weeks to get my game back and get out of my mini slump and this is the result," he added.

But those words were, typically for the affable Northern Irishman, said with a wry smile rather than a snarl, helped of course by the enormity of his achievement on Sunday.

The victory margin eclipsed the previous best for the PGA Championship of seven set by Jack Nicklaus in 1980 and he also became the youngest player to win two major titles since the-then 23-year-old Seve Ballesteros clinched that year's Masters.

The win also sent him back to the top of the world rankings

McIlroy, who started the final round with a three-shot lead, needed only 23 putts in the final round.

He sank a 20-foot putt from just off the green to birdie the par-four 18th in glorious late afternoon sunshine at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, then lifted his putter skywards in celebration.

Britain's David Lynn, competing in his first PGA Championship, birdied two of the last three holes for a 68 to finish alone in second.

Fellow Englishman Poulter, who briefly trimmed McIlroy's lead to one shot after a sizzling five-birdie start, faded after the turn en route to a 69 and a tie for third at four under.

Level with Poulter were his compatriot Justin Rose (66), Swede Carl Pettersson (72) and defending champion Keegan Bradley of the US (68).

Tim Clark was the best-placed South African, eleven shots back in a tie for 11th.

Louis Oosthuizen finished in a tie for 21st.