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It wasn’t easy, but McIlroy won the PGA Championship for his 4th major title, 2nd of the season, and 3rd consecutive overall win.
Rory McIlroy cemented his status as the top player in the world on Sunday when he held off an impressive list of contenders to win the 2014 PGA Championship, the second of his career. McIlroy has now won four major championships, including back-to-back major wins. The victory was his third professional win in a row.
McIlroy, in claiming his second grand slam trophy of the season, finished at 16-under to hold off an all-star field led by Phil Mickelson, who finished second at 15-under in the final major of the men's season. McIlroy became the third-youngest player to win four majors -- ahead of Woods and between Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros.
For sure, it was no romp by eight shots, the margin by which McIlroy won both the 2011 U.S. Open and 2012 PGA. It was not even the relatively pressure-free day he enjoyed when he won last month’s British Open by two strokes.
No, this was a smash-mouth heavyweight bout among a group of superstars each of whom had his trophy cabinet measured for the Wanamaker. Until the end, it was a slugfest among McIlroy, Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson, with the lead changing hands several times before Rory was the last man standing in what is sure to be a controversial ending to a memorable competition.
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McIlroy's tee shot off No. 12 on Sunday (Andrew Redington - Getty)
The 44-year-old Mickelson came up just a stroke shy of forcing a playoff. He began the three shots back of McIlroy, but got rolling right off the bat with birdies on Nos. 1 and 3. Seems Lefty, who found something in his game in the final round at Firestone last week, picked a good time to remind himself he’s a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
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Rory wins again! Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Rory wins again! Image may be NSFW.
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Mickelson, Fowler, McIlroy and even Stenson for period seemingly took turns hitting brilliant golf shots. The lead changed hands several times during the round with multiple players tied at the top for stretches. It seemed that whenever one of the players hit a good shot or picked up a stoke. the others would be along shortly with a similar response. Mickelson showed off his renowned short game on several occasions while McIlroy bombed drive after drive. Fowler, partnered with Mickelson, continued his strong play in major championships sinking several lengthy putts during the round. He held sole possession of the lead for a bit and it seemed possible he would be the one walking away with the Wanamaker Trophy.
McIlroy, however, proved to be the class of the field yet again. He dropped back early with a pair of bogeys, but made a championship charge over the final nine holes. It began at No. 10 when he hit an unconventional, yet extremely effective, second shot into the par-5. He made the eagle putt to jump right back into the thick of the race.
With McIlroy, Mickelson and Fowler separated by a shot coming down the back nine, the championship was there for the taking for anyone who could capitalize and muster yet another strong move. Mickelson and Fowler faltered some. Fowler bogeyed No. 14 and had to scramble for pars on a couple occasions coming in. Mickelson dropped a crucial shot at No. 16 to fall a stroke off the lead. McIlroy had no such issues and essentially stamped his name on the trophy with a birdie at No. 17.
From there, all that was left was for McIlroy to overcome the onsetting darkness to finish the round. Mickelson made birdie at No. 18, leaving McIlroy needing a par to win. He took any suspense out of the finish with a great birdie putt, leaving only a tap in to clinch the victory.