It would be fair to say that Tiger Woods was never universally popular with his golfing peers. For instance, it is well known that Phil Mickelson and USA Ryder Cup team-mate Woods rarely see eye to eye.Whether the friction is due to Woods' own personality, the jealousy of others or, more likely, a bit of both, it's fair to say the former World No. 1 inspires more respect than warmth.
US Open winner Rory Mcllroy still has a long way to go to emulate Woods's formidable record of success, but he has already attracted the sort of attention that Tiger became accustomed to receiving. Yet in the Ulsterman's case it seems to consist solely of admiration of the 22-year-old's precocious ability rather than envious glares.
Remember when his European Ryder Cup team all donned wigs to take the heat off the Northern Irishman for claiming Woods had lost his edge before last year's triumph at the Celtic Manor?
Those same team-mates were lining up to praise him after watching the 22-year-old blow away the field at Congressional.
But what rang true was that it wasn't just his playing ability that was being talked up, but his attitude away from the course.
Graeme McDowell, who was succeeded by his fellow countryman as the US Open champion, said: "For any kids watching him right now, he's playing golf the way it should be played as far as his attitude and just the way he carries himself.
"He's going to be a great ambassador for the sport - as well as a multiple Major winner."
To suggest Mcllroy can pip Woods in the race to overhaul Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 Major wins is obviously a little premature.
But he is on his way, with his Masters meltdown in April now long forgotten.
Mcllroy's popularity was summed up when it emerged fellow Ulsterman Darren Clarke had withdrawn from this week's European Tour event in Munich to be in Northern Ireland for the homecoming party.
Yet that should come as no surprise, with Mcllroy's humility having already set him apart from the field.
Many believe his down to earth values could certainly protect him from a Tiger-style fall from grace.
He has already been installed as red-hot favourite to win the Open next month and will have to cope with the added expectation that follows his first Major triumph.
But it's learning to deal with the hype and media glare where he perhaps faces his biggest challenge.
Marketing experts are already predicting that he has the potential to eclipse Woods and become the world's highest-paid sportsman.
He currently has sponsorship deals worth, according to Sky Sport News, a reported £6.2 million - with sunglasses brand Oakley, golf equipment manufacturer Titleist and the Dubai-based hotel chain Jumeirah.
He can expect more lucrative offers to come flooding in.
And for one of the game's level-headed good guys who has risen to the top, he deserves nothing less.
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