Huge welcome for US Open Champion GMac

The world's media descended on Portrush to witness his triumphant return to the course where he honed his world class skills.

The golf star said the last three days since his win had been a "whirlwind" and he was looking forward to catching up with family and friends.

"I have been running on adrenaline over the last few days, it's great to see so many familiar faces, I really appreciate everyone turning out," he said.

"It's so important for a player to have the right people around to drive me on and help me achieve my goals.

"People in this golf club have just treated me unbelievably since I've been a very young man and it's great to be back here."

Graeme said winning the Welsh Open earlier this year "spring-boarded him" but said this win "felt very different".

He revealed that last Saturday had been his toughest day and said he had to fight a battle with his nerves but it was his father who kept him grounded.

"When I got out of the shower the nerves really hit me, I really just had to screw my head on," he said.

"Saturday was tough when I was waiting, there is only so much coffee you can drink and only so much wandering you can do around malls."

Graeme said his father Kenny helped me hold his nerve and said that as he won and hugged him, it was a "pretty emotional moment".

Ulster's north coast may be thousands of miles from Pebble Beach in California, but Graeme said it reminded him of the courses in Portrush in terms of the winds, sea breezes and even the climate.

"The first time I played Pebble Beach, it reminded me unbelievably of the north coast," he said.

"No doubt my upbringing stood me in good stead for the US Open.

"I have always dreamt big, worked hard and practised hard."

While Graeme's victory has changed his life, he said he wants to be treated the same as ever.

"I hope I can still come back to this neck of the woods and still be who I am and people have always treated me the same way around here since I was winning junior events at 15, 16 years of age," he said.

On the immediate future, Graeme said he wanted to spend time with family and friends to help him "get his head around it".

"I am certainly not planning on playing any golf until next week, I think it is important to put this into perspective, my brain can't quite get to grips with it," he said.

Holywood golf star Rory McIlroy was also on hand to congratulate Graeme.

"I was at home when I was watching it but I was so proud of him, we have all seen how hard he works and were delighted for him."

Meanwhile former Irish Open champion and previous club captain Ian Bamford remembered watching Graeme as a youngster putting in long hours at practice.

"You used to see Graeme practising until dusk, even when his handicap was two, still practising and practising," he told the News Letter.

Coleraine Mayor Norman Hillis, who is a member of Rathmore Golf Club, said depending on Graeme's diary, he hoped to hold a civic event on Friday.

"This is huge for Rathmore but bigger than that for the borough and for Northern Ireland," said the US Open champion.

"We are incredibly proud that he is a citizen of this area and as a Portrush man I feel very proud."

Mr Hillis added: "People from all over the world will now want to play on this course where Graeme first honed his skills."