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.
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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.
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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…
5. 2016 Ryder Cup
Hazeltine, Sunday Singles, 8th hole, 2nd shot
Ironically, Rory’s best Ryder Cup moment came in the only losing European effort of which he has been a part.
Out first on Sunday to get some blue on the board, McIlroy took on Patrick Reed in one of the best individual contests in the trophy’s history.
That McIlroy eventually lost his match and Europe lost the Cup doesn’t take away from one of the best putts, and greatest reactions, in his career.
4. 2010 Quail Hollow Championship
Quail Hollow, 4th round, 18th hole, 3rd shot
“Welcome to the big time, Rory McIlroy.”
The Northern Irishman’s first career PGA Tour win came in swashbuckling style. En route to a final round 62, one of McIlroy’s best ever knocks, he hit some astonishing shots.
His second to 15 (0:36) is possibly his greatest ever club twirl and worthy of a spot here in itself, but it’s hard to look past the tramliner on 18 to secure his first ever win in the States.
Skip to 1:35 for the magic moment…
3. 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open
K Club, 4th round, 16th & 18th holes, 2nd shots
It is absolutely cheating to choose two shots for one spot, but McIlroy’s 3-woods at the K Club in 2016 were so equally magnificent that it must be done.
Involved in a titanic tussle on Sunday, Rory’s monstrous shot to the brutal par-5 16th gave him a share of the lead before a glorious approach to 18 sealed his first ever Irish Open win.
Go to 0:55 to see both shots in all their glory.
2. 2011 US Open
Congressional, 4th round, 10th hole, 1st shot
If, like me, you remember with fondness the uninhibited precociousness of a young Rory, you’ll know just how special this shot is.
Many will point to McIlroy’s eagle hole-out in the 2011 US Open second round, but this was his best shot of the tournament and helped create a truly magical scene at Congressional’s 10th hole.
Just watch the crowds, the free flowing swing, the pause at the crest of the hill, the roll back down, the excitement and the high-five between Rory and JP.
This is McIlroy as we know and love.
1. 2016 Tour Championship
East Lake, 4th round, 16th hole, 2nd shot
Rory has a career highlight reel that can probably only be outdone by Tiger Woods himself.
But all these shots pale compared to this one at East Lake in 2016.
Vying for $11.5 million and his first FedEx title, Rory was three behind with three to play.
Then this happened…
The rest, as they say, is history.
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