Quick 9: Rory’s best ever shots
Rory McIlroy sure knows how to put on a show and there aren’t many who can make the game look easier than him when he’s on form. So how about a Rory McIlroy best shots rundown to get us all in the mood?
9. 2019 DP World Tour Championship
Jumeirah Golf Estates, 1st round, 18th hole, 2nd shot
A 3-wood from 292 yards to the 18th at the Earth Course that even Henrik Stenson would have been proud of, this shot represents everything McIlroy is about – speed, balance, power and rhythm. And of course, pure class.
Just watch and admire.
“Possibly the best shot I’ve hit all year,” Rory tells @SkySportsGolf.
Who are we to argue?
— NCG (@NCG_com) November 21, 2019
8. 2012 Ryder Cup
Medinah, Saturday Fourballs, 13th hole, 2nd shot
Everyone remembers Ian Poulter’s Medinah magic in 2012, and rightfully so, but McIlroy’s contribution should not be overlooked.
Before Poulter birdied his last five holes on Saturday, Rory made a brilliant downhill putt on the par 3 13th to get the momentum back on Europe’s side for the first time in the Cup. Poulter never let that momentum slip again.
Enjoy the whole video here but skip to 0:45 for the Ulsterman’s putt.
7. 2014 PGA Championship
Valhalla, 4th round, 10th hole, 2nd shot
First off, let’s address the elephant in the room. Rory necked this old Nike 3-wood like a mid-handicapper does on a cold Wednesday morning in January.
Why is it such a great shot then I hear you ask? Well, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.
This strike led to an eagle on a hole that is otherwise uneagleable (is that a word?) and put Rory back in the mix of a major that was slipping away from him alarmingly quickly.
One of the most important shots he ever has, or ever will hit.
6. 2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational
Bay Hill, 4th round, 15th hole, 3rd shot
The most barren spell of McIlroy’s career came after his first FedEx Cup win in 2016.
When he arrived at Bay Hill in 2018, he had gone just a week under 18 months without a trophy and had fallen outside the world’s top 10 for the first time in seven years. Bleak times.
But thanks to this clutch chip-in during the final round of the Arnold Palmer, the Ulsterman got his career back on track with a vintage victory.
Our Rory McIlroy best shots rundown continues on the next page, where you can see what made it into the top 5…
Alex Perry
Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.
