Rory McIlroy recovered from the slow wobble and answered the $ 64 million question. He postponed the final round challenge from PGA champion Justin Thomas, maintained the RBC Canadian Open, and entered the spring for the US Open.
Down’s man, 33, didn’t win for eight months, but two shots from Tony Finau and four from 19-year-old Thomas-Underpar.
“This is a day I remember for a long time. This is my 21st PGA Tour victory, one more than anyone else,” McIlroy said in a thin veil to Greg Norman on LIV Golf. It looked like a reference wrapped in.
“It gave me a little extra incentive today, and I’m happy to be able to accomplish it.”
“It’s great to play with Tony and JT today. It’s the two best players in the world and we just play like us,” he added.
“I think the worst score in the group was 6 under par.”
On the day Justin Rose needed a 3 par at 59 and finished a bogey par bogey at 60 and 4th under 14th, Shane Lowry made an eagle and 5 birdies at 66 and 10th at 9 under. I shared it.
However, the actual fireworks are from McIlroy, Thomas, and Finau, and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan immediately pointed out at CBS, so the show was held in the last group to ridicule the dry LIV golf fare for the past three days. I did. interview.
Defending his decision to suspend 17 players for teeing up without a release at the Centurion Club, Monaghan didn’t punch and was asked why players couldn’t play both tours.
“Why do they need us so badly? Those players sign a multi-year lucrative contract to play in a series of exhibition matches where they play against the same player over and over again. Because I chose to do it, “said Monaghan.
“You compare it to what you see here today, and that’s why they need us so much. You have a true pure competition. The best players in the world are here RBC Millions of fans have attended the Canadian Open and are watching it. In this game, creating a profile in the presence of the best players in the world is a true pure competition. “
McIlroy, who took the lead overnight with Finau, made eight of the first 12 holes birdies.
He first slammed at 25 feet, fired a 200-yard approach at 4 feet 4th, chipped in 2 at 6th, and wedged at 4 feet 7th to clear 2. .. Finau, Wyndham Clark, and Thomas.
He led Thomas two times by adding another birdie to 9th, but the Kentucky guy won the 10th and 11th birdies for the sixth straight time, while McIlroy 40 the 10th and 11th birdies. I chased with and extended the lead to 3. 4th footer for 12 consecutive days before wobbling the stretch.
After missing the par 3.5 footer in 13th, he had to climb up and down from 106 yards in 14th to stay in 1st, but Bogey in 16th allowed Thomas to pull the level. ..
But after McIlroy on the wild drive hit the wedge to 30 inches and cleared 2, Thomas made a bogey and everything changed on the 17th.
Another wedge to 4 feet on the 18th set up another birdie for a $ 1,566,000 worth of victory, making his career income $ 64 million.
“I think I had to reset after Covid,” McIlroy went from 5th to 3rd in the world.
“I focused a little on the game and realized why I was happy. This makes me happy.
“So I just did the job. I have a great team around me, and they are 100% behind me and I just go and do something like today Make it easier.
“I feel good. I knew I had to go out and play really well today. Two of the best players in the world, JT and Tony, have been by my side for the last few days. The wind was good. The golf course was clearly easier to play than the first two days.
“So I knew that a 5, 6 or 7 under would be the score needed to get the job done. It’s great to be back in the winners circle in front of all people and all the crowds and it’s really cool. The day you did. “
As for Monaghan, as expected, he was optimistic about the future of the PGA Tour and did not repent of stopping 17 players last week.
“It was an unfortunate week made by some unfortunate decisions, which are the players who chose to violate the tournament rules,” Monahan said.
“It’s my job to protect, protect and celebrate our loyal PGA Tour members, partners and fans. And that’s exactly what I did. And I don’t think it was a surprise to anyone.”
Details to follow …
