Stephen Farry MLA said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to Rory. I hope that this is first of many majors victories for the 22 year old.
“This was a magnificent victory which was extremely well deserved. The whole of Northern Ireland was right behind him throughout the tournament. His win is all the more deserved following the disappointment at the Masters.
“He is a great sporting ambassador for Northern Ireland and has followed in the footsteps of Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell. He has now shown that he can turn his great skill into a victory. And the fact that his name will be beneath Graeme McDowell’s, who won the US Open last year, shows that we have some of the best golfers in the world.”
North Down Councillor Andrew Muir added: “Rory’s victory was an outstanding achievement and he has done Holywood proud. I will be calling for the Council to host a homecoming parade to commemorate this local hero.”
ENDS