2011 U.S. Open: 10 Reasons Why Rory McIlroy Will Not Live Up to Expectations

He won one for the ages, and with it, he put the target on his back as the next big thing in golf. 

I guess you could say Rory McIlroy has to take the good with the bad after shooting 16-under par at Congressional, lapping the course and making everyone stand up and take notice about his game, his attitude and the way he came back to another major after giving the Masters away and then suffocating the course as it cowered at his feet.

McIlroy is just 22 and with that comes a lot of time to establish himself as the best in a game that has been looking for another rising star as of late. But with that rise, there comes questions and of course, changes in the game, talent and demons that have been exorcised.

He may be the brightest ray of hope in golf in over a decade, since Tiger Woods took assault on Pebble Beach at the 2000 U.S. Open Championship.

While the hype and accolades will continue to follow him through to the British Open, there is a real possibility he cannot live up to the hype or what is expected of him.

Here are the reasons why.

Foreign Competition

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CASARES, SPAIN - MAY 21: Victor Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland is congratulated by countryman Rory McIlroy after winning his last 16 match of the Volvo World Match Play Championships at Finca Cortesin on May 20, 2011 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Wa

He will face a great challenge from his fellow countryman Graeme McDowell and other foreigners who have taken their game to a new level.

McIlroy is in the Top-10 in world golf rankings, but those ahead of him from foreign soil include Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer. They all will look to unseat McIlroy in the British Open.

Weather and Conditions

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 19: Y.E. Yang of South Korea (R) and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (L) walk off the fifth tee during the final round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 19, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Andrew Re

Congressional was either a testament to how good golf is right now or the fact that the course was not in great shape.

That will not happen all the time.

McIlroy will face issues with weather, equipment, tougher greens and different tournaments.

If he decides to play more in the states, those conditions will continue to challenge him week to week.

New Equipment

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 18: Robert Garrigus hits a putt on the 13th green during the third round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 18, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Golfers try new clubs, balls, whatever they can to get an edge.

Now that McIlroy has won and been successful like he was this weekend, doesn't it stand to reason other golfers will be trying their luck with newer, better equipment to challenge him on all surfaces?

Pressure

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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 10: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (R) and caddie J.P. Fitzgerald look on during the final round of the 2011 Masters Tournament on April 10, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

He gave away the Masters title and made amends by winning at Congressional. He handled it like a champion should.

But when you have a target on your back, the pressure is there to perform.

He is 22 years old and while he looked like Tiger Woods over the weekend, it remains to be seen if he has Tiger's mental game to put the outside world behind him and play.

New Faces

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NEWPORT, WALES - OCTOBER 04: Phil Mickelson of the USA walks with his wife Amy and teammates Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson after the singles matches during the 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort on October 4, 2010 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Andr

Like himself, there will be new faces looking to make a name on the tour.

While the Americans right now do not appear to be ready to challenge for the top spot in the world golf rankings, there will at some point, be another golfer from the States that will try to wrestle the world's top ranking from McIlroy or anyone else who is in that slot.

Look for Matt Kuchar or maybe a Bubba Watson to challenge in the coming years.

The Tiger Factor

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - MAY 12: Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the sixth hole during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship held at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on May 12, 2011 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Woods withdrew after shoo

He may not be as good as he once was, but what if?

What if Tiger Woods starts to play like his old self and challenge Jack Nicklaus for the all-time major record?

What if Tiger challenges McIlroy, who appears to have no fear in his game?

Does Tiger Woods atop or in contention on a leaderboard make things a little more difficult for McIlroy?

Do the comparisons also start to get to him?

Injuries

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DORAL, FL - MARCH 10: Tiger Woods (R) and Phil Mickelson watch a shot on the tenth hole during the first round of the 2011 WGC- Cadillac Championship at the TPC Blue Monster at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa on March 10, 2011 in Doral, Florida. (Photo by

These are unexpected, but golfers can deal with back and leg injuries. If Rory develops issues with his body, does this take away from his game?

Will they have the same effect on him as a Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson?

Major Competitor?

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 18: Luke Donald of England (R) and caddie John McLaren (L) look on from the fourth tee during the third round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 18, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Image

Who jumps out of the crowd and becomes his major rival? Most golfers need another competitor to make them better.

Nicklaus needed Watson.

Watson needed Norman.

You see the picture. Is it Luke Donald? Is it Martin Kaymer?

And while he has a great group of foreign friends, who will be the one to step up and challenge him to make his game better?

The Outside World

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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 10: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits a tee shot during the final round of the 2011 Masters Tournament on April 10, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

He is 22 years old and seems to be driven by his profession. BUT HE IS 22! And most 22=year-olds are wanting to try new things and get involved in the jet-set life that comes with being a superstar and an athlete.

Will McIlroy show he is as grounded as Tiger was at this age? It appears his support group is solid, but with time comes change, and if he changes his agent or a swing coach, it can drastically affect him.

Media and Pressure

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BETHESDA, MD - JUNE 18: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits his tee shot on the tenth hole during the third round of the 111th U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club on June 18, 2011 in Bethesda, Maryland. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Right now, he is the best thing since, well...you know who.

If he stumbles and falls a bit, does he lose that luster?

McIlroy says the right things and does the right things. But a few losses and the media will turn on him. Sports writers look for the hip and new story. And then can befriend and end friendships in a hurry.

American sportswriters may wait for the opportune time for him to falter so they can back someone new and fresh down the road.