Rory breaks Quail Hollow record with stunning 61

Rory McIlroy set the Quail Hollow course alight again recording a stunning 61 on his way to his lowest ever professional round.

The World Number One could even have scored an unthinkable 59, but parred his final two holes to card a 61.

“It’s a mental thing,” McIlroy said. “You’re picturing good shots, you’re visualizing the lines on putts and you’re not getting in your own way. You’re just letting it happen.”

McIlroy’s 11 birdies came at 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and finally the 16th before parring his last two holes ending his electric streak.

The almost mythical 59 is still at the forefront of the Northern Irishman’s mind. 

“I’m at staying patient, not being afraid to go low,” said McIlroy. “I was thinking about 59 from the 14th teebox.”

“When I birdied 13 I got to 8-under par.  I had two really good chances, I felt like two eagles chances really on 14 and 15.  

“Birdied those so went to 10-under and that meant needed to birdie the last three holes.  

“I made a great birdie on 16 and then, you know, if I could take any shot back today it was that 7-iron on 17.  I just bailed out right. 

“So, I was a little disappointed with not finishing off the way I wanted to but, you know, still a great round.  But 59 was in my mind as soon as the putt dropped on 13.”

McIlroy is now without a bogey in 37 holes a Quail Hollow, and with the course slated to host the PGA Championship in 2017 and The Presidents Cup 2021, the four-time Major winner will be looking to capitalise on his course domination.

All of the 26-year old’s 11 birdie putts were from 10 yards of shorter, a sign that the current World Number One is really finding his length and range this season.

“I rolled the ball really well, which I haven’t been doing for the past couple of weeks, so to see a lot of putts drop like that was really nice,” McIlroy said.
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