Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is two days shy of being able to celebrate with a beer, at least in America. But his final-round performance at Quail Hollow deserves a toast. Firing a back nine 30 on his way to a course-record 10-under-par 62, McIlroy blew past the last two Masters champions – Phil Mickelson and Angel Cabrera – to win for the first time on the PGA Tour.
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The last player this young to win on the PGA Tour was Tiger Woods, also age 20, at the Disney Classic in 1996. McIlroy’s showing, ironically, comes in a tournament where Woods failed to make the cut.
It was a Tiger-like performance indeed as McIlroy used his outlandish length to play the final five holes in 5-under par. At No. 15, a par 5, he hit a 5-iron 208 yards uphill to within three feet and made the eagle putt. At No. 18, he hit a 7-iron from 203 yards out, and then drained a 40-foot birdie putt.
If a 50-footer at No. 17 had dropped instead of lipping out, McIlroy would have shot a 29 on the back and bettered the course record by three strokes. McIlroy made two birdies on the last five holes from sand. He made 3 on each of his last six holes.
Halfway around the world, 18-year-old Ryo Ishikawa shot a final-round 58 to win for the seventh time in Japan.
So who needs Tiger?
Well, at least for one day, that sentiment applies.