( CNN ) -- After a gut-wrenching collapse on the final day of the 2011 Masters , questions were asked about Rory McIlroy 's mental fortitude and his ability to compete for golf 's major honors . But two months later , at June 's U.S. Open , the Northern Irishman produced a resounding response to his doubters by romping to a record-breaking eight-shot victory at Congressional . When the eyes of the golfing world fall on Augusta next month for the first major of 2012 , it will offer the world No . 2 a chance to reflect on how he turned a soul-crushing low into a redemptive high . `` Last year 's Masters was definitely a defining moment for me , '' the 22-year-old told the European Tour 's website when asked about the tournament eventually won by South African Charl Schwartzel . Can Tiger cap comeback with Masters triumph ? `` It could have been a crossroads in my career . I could have done what I did on Sunday at Augusta and let it affect me and let it get to me , and maybe go into a slump , or get down or feel sorry for myself . '' But far from wallowing in self pity , McIlroy excelled at the next major . His 16-under-par total of 268 bettered a record previously held by 14-time championship winner Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000 . After clinching a first major in 2011 , McIlroy reached another career landmark early in the 2012 season . He became the youngest world No . 1 since Woods with victory at Palm Beach earlier this month , usurping Ryder Cup teammate Luke Donald . `` It was a big crossroads for me in my career , '' he said . `` I was able to go down the right path and put things right by winning the next major . `` All I wanted to do was put myself in that position again just to see if I could handle it better -- and I proved to myself that I could . '' McIlroy admitted one of the biggest mistakes he made during the final round of last year 's Masters was to become preoccupied with his rivals , rather than focusing on his own game . It is an error he is keen to avoid on his fourth visit to the Augusta National Golf Club . `` One of the worst things I did was just trying to stay ahead of everyone else . Instead , I maybe should have had a number in my head , like getting to 15 under . That way , you have a target , and that 's all you 're thinking about . `` You 're not thinking about all these guys you 're trying to keep ahead of . All you 're thinking about is that target of 15 under ... You ca n't let your mind wander and start thinking about what anyone else is doing . '' Donald regained the No.1 spot with victory at the recent Transitions Championships . Nevertheless , McIlroy 's profile in the U.S. remains high . Partly , it is due to his contrasting experiences at the Masters and then the U.S. Open . But his romance with former world No . 1 tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki has also ensured he is firmly in the media spotlight . `` It will be very different this year , '' he said after of the tournament getting under way on April 5 . `` I was n't necessarily under the radar last year , but I 'll be going there with a lot more attention . `` I 'll try to take the same approach to the tournament as I did last year . The week before , I 'll go up to Augusta for a couple of days , do what I usually do . `` Speaking about it makes me excited about going back there , and I ca n't wait for it to start now . ''
Rory McIlroy spurned a two - shot lead on the final day of the 2011 Masters . Two months later the young Irishman triumphed at the U.S. Open , his first major title . He became the youngest world No . 1 since Tiger Woods in Dubai earlier this month . His fellow Briton Luke Donald has since reclaimed top spot in the world rankings .