RORY McIlroy must have set a new record for cramming more career and personal ups and downs into the body of a 25-year-old. 

Remember when the Northern Irishman led the US Masters by four with a round to go, then shot 80? 

Two months later, he claimed the US Open by a record eight shots and followed that up in 2012 with his second major, the US PGA, again butchering the field by eight. 

After announcing he had a new manager, a $150million contract with Nike and a famous tennis playing fiancee at the beginning of 2013, his game went completely off the rails until his stunning victory in the Australian Open last December. 

This was followed by a “near-marriage” experience where McIlroy decided he wasn’t actually ready to commit. 

Unfortunately, that was just after the invitations went out. 

Clearly, McIlroy’s victory at last week’s British Open came as no surprise given that we have no idea what to expect from him next.

What we do know is just how much the old Claret Jug means to him after his post victory media conference.

“I’m immensely proud of myself,” McIlroy said. 

“To sit here 25 years of age and win my third Major Championship and be three-quarters of the way to the career grand slam? I never dreamed of being at this point in my career so quickly.” 

McIlroy said the Open Championship was the one he “really  wanted” growing up.

He said he had practiced the winning putt on the putting green, imagining to beat the likes of Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia and Ernie Els.

“(I) didn’t quite need to hole a putt today to do it, just a little tap-in, which was nice,” he said. 

“As I said there at the start, it hasn’t really sunk in left. 

“The more I keep looking at this trophy and seeing my name on it, the more it will start sinking in.”

Winning a third major at 25  puts McIlroy in a very elite club alongside only Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. When asked if he had the same drive and ambition as those guys to dominate the sport in a similar fashion, he said “I definitely hope so”.

“I’ve really found my passion again for golf,” McIlroy said. 

“Not that it ever dwindled, but it’s what I think about when I get up in the morning. 

“It’s what I think about when I go to bed. 

“I just want to be the best golfer that I can be.”

McIlroy said if he could do this, trophies like the Open Championship were “within my capability”.

“I’d love to win a lot more and really looking forward to - even though there’s still one major left this year that I want to desperately try and win,” he said. 

“I (am) looking forward to next April and trying to complete the career grand slam.”

I found the question of adding the US Masters to his impressive CV - therefore having the career grand slam - very interesting, given his past horror experience at Augusta three years ago.

“I’ve always been comfortable from tee to green at Augusta. 

“And it’s just taken me a few years to figure out the greens and figure out where you need to miss it and some different little shots that you might need that week.

“I’ll be going into Augusta next year pretty confident. 

“It’s a course that I, as I say, I feel comfortable off the tee and into the greens.”

McIlroy said he might get assistance again from amateur marker Jeff Knox.

The pair worked together the third round of the US Masters last year. 

I think the only thing Rory could do now to surprise me would be not to win the Masters and complete the slam... or maybe get married?