fbpx
McIlroy

McIlroy recovers to stunning PGA Championship win

World number one comes through toughest test yet for major number four.
 

TOURNAMENT LEADERBOARD

Rory McIlroy produced the back nine of his career to clinch back-to-back majors with a one-shot  victory over Phil Mickelson at the PGA Championship.

The 25-year-old becomes the fourth youngest player to win four majors – adding to his Open, US Open and 2012 PGA Championship titles.

It looked to be slipping away as the World No.1 lost his over night lead with dropped shots at 5 and 6 on a rain soaked Valhalla.

McIlroy and playing partner Bernd Wiesberger were often waiting up to 10 minutes to play their shots after a long rain delay clogged up the field.

Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson surged to the front but McIlroy kept his patience and was rewarded with a superb display on the home straight.

A birdie at seven was followed by an eagle at 10 before birdies at 13, 17 put him back in charge.

Under the most intense pressure, with three top players breathing down his neck, McIlroy stood up to the test and was more than a worthy champion.
I didn’t think in my wildest dreams I’d have a summer like this" There was a steely look in his eye when he punched the air on 13 and as Stenson and Fowler bogeyed 14, then Mickelson dropped a shot on 16, the momentum had swung back in favour of the Northern Irishman.

McIlroy reached the 18th on -16 with Stenson in the clubhouse on -14, Mickelson and Fowler on the same score up the last fairway.

Mickelson made birdie and Fowler just a par allowing McIlroy to pitch out of a bunker and two putt his way to a one-shot victory.

With the light fading, McIlroy was embraced on the 18th green by his father Gerry and the Rodman Wannamaker trophy was his for a second time. 

“I didn’t think in my wildest dreams I’d have a summer like this,” McIlroy said. 

“I’ve played the golf of my life. I showed a lot of guts out there to get the job done.”

Rory paid tribute to Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson for helping him finish the job on Sunday night.

“I suggested that we play up as a four,” McIlroy added.  

“I didn’t know if they wanted to do that or not. You know, to get this thing finished and get this thing over and done with; and the guys let us play up with our drives, and they didn’t need to do that, they could have just left us on the tee box there and just play normally, but they showed a lot of class and a lot of sportsmanship by doing that.  

“I thanked Rickie and Phil in the scorer’s area and reiterated what I said in my speech out there on the 18th green. 

“It was a classy move by them, and if they had not of done that, we might not have been able to get it all done because it was getting really dark out there.”

FOR MORE ON THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP CLICK HERE

Latest Posts

major championships win 2024

News

Who will win the major championships in 2024?

Read full article - Who will win the major championships in 2024?
PGA Championship host venues: Past, present and future

PGA Championship

PGA Championship host venues: Past, present and future

Read full article - PGA Championship host venues: Past, present and future
Branden Grace

PGA Championship

Lowest round in a golf major

Read full article - Lowest round in a golf major
koepka liv golf

PGA Championship

Re-born Brooks Koepka hails ‘sweetest’ major win after PGA Championship romp

Read full article - Re-born Brooks Koepka hails ‘sweetest’ major win after PGA Championship romp
PGA Championship records

PGA Championship

Clutch Koepka claims third PGA Championship crown

Read full article - Clutch Koepka claims third PGA Championship crown
michael block

PGA Championship

Michael Block makes unforgettable hole-in-one at PGA Championship

Read full article - Michael Block makes unforgettable hole-in-one at PGA Championship
pga championship prize money

PGA Championship

PGA Championship prize money

Read full article - PGA Championship prize money
ball overhanging hole

PGA Championship

You’ve misunderstood the 10-second rule – this is why

Read full article - You’ve misunderstood the 10-second rule – this is why
michael block

PGA Championship

Who is Michael Block? The new PGA Tour fan favourite

Read full article - Who is Michael Block? The new PGA Tour fan favourite