Sports Personality of the Year 2011 top 10: Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy has admitted he partied with family and friends for four days after winning his first major title at the age of 22.

The Northern Irishman won the US Open by an astonishing eight shots.

McIlroy became the youngest US Open champion since Bobby Jones in 1923 and the youngest major winner since Tiger Woods triumphed at the Masters in 1997.

It was an incredible comeback by McIlroy as he managed to banish memories of his Masters meltdown, when he blew a four-shot lead going into the final day in April.

At Augusta, McIlroy led for three rounds but collapsed on the back nine and carded a round of 80 to end four under - 10 shots behind South African winner Charl Schwartzel.

"I had a great chance to win my first major at Augusta but it didn't quite work out," he told SPOTY.

"To bounce back and win the second major straight after the US Open was huge for me and apart from that I've had a really good consistent year.

"At the US Open, everything just clicked from the first day. I was hitting good shots and holing putts and got myself into a very big lead. I was eight ahead going into the final day and new I had to do something very stupid to not win this one.

"It was great to myself in that position and to finish it off like I did was special. I was able to enjoy it as well."

Since winning the US Open, McIlroy has beat American Anthony Kim in a play-off to win the Shanghai Masters and claim the richest prize in golf - £1.24m ($2m) - at the end of October.

And the Northern Irishman followed his Shanghai Masters win with a fourth-place finish at the WGC Champions tournament to reach number two in the world one week later.

But he wants more major wins.

"I've won a major but I don't want to stop there. What I'm trying to do now is win my second and hopefully when I do that I'll try and win my third.

That's the way I'm approaching it. I can't put a number on it but I want to win more."

Stories from Rory McIlroy's year:

Majestic McIlroy secures US Open

McIlroy rises to world number two