Rory McIlroy Obliterates Quail Hollow, Wins Wells Fargo, Eyes First Major Win In A Decade
The stars appear to be aligning for one of the PGA Tour's biggest stars, Rory McIlroy. McIlroy entered the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship trailing Xander Schauffele by one shot. But McIlroy obliterated Quail Hollow Club on Sunday to cruise to the tournament victory. McIlroy's attention immediately turned to next week's PGA Championship.
Through seven holes, Schauffele increased his lead to two shots over McIlroy after the former made eagle on the par-7 seventh hole and the latter made par. It seemed like we might be in for another Sunday meltdown from one of the most talented golfers in history.
However, McIlroy flipped a switch after the seventh hole and Schauffele quickly realized this wasn't his tournament to win. McIlroy went on a run, making four birdies and two eagles in an eight-hole stretch. He turned a two-shot deficit into a six-shot lead and that was all she wrote.
The only question left was whether McIlroy could break the tournament scoring record, which Wyndham Clark shot last year with a 19-under performance. McIlroy sat at that exact number following his second eagle of the day, meaning he needed one birdie and two pars over the final three holes.
He headed off to the "Green Mile" at Quail Hollow, holes 16, 17 & 18, which is considered one of the toughest three-hole stretches on the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy entered the Wells Fargo Championship final round one shot back, but caught fire to win and now looks ahead to the PGA Championship.
(Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
McIlroy wasn't able to set the record after making par on 16 and 17 and then finding water just beyond the 18th green and to card a double-bogey.
Despite the final-hole misstep, McIlroy shot a 6-under, 65 for the best round of the day by any player and that was plenty enough to outlast Schauffele, who finished second at the Wells Fargo Championship for the second-straight year.
Rory McIlroy wins Wells Fargo Championship, eyes return to glory with PGA Championship victory next week
Winning the Wells Fargo Championship is a boost to Rory McIlroy's confidence, but all eyes are on him heading into next week. The heavy favorite to win the PGA Championship is, of course, Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler is in Tiger Woods' territory in terms of being a pre-tournament favorite (currently +400).
But McIlroy's performance at Quail Hollow shortened his odds. He's currently +900 at most legal US sportsbooks after he spent the last few weeks over 10-1.
Rory McIlroy entered the Wells Fargo Championship final round one shot back, but caught fire to win and now looks ahead to the PGA Championship.
(Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
McIlroy won the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club after winning his two previous starts. Sound familiar? It should because the 2024 PGA Championship is at Valhalla Golf Club and McIlroy has won his last two starts after capturing the Wells Fargo Championship and the Zurich Classic alongside partner Shane Lowry.
When McIlroy won that 2014 PGA Championship, Jack Nicklaus famously declared that he could win "15 or 20 majors" in his career. That hasn't panned out, as McIlroy has been stuck on four for nearly 10 years.
He's in the best position to win another one, arguably, since that last victory. But there's still that guy, Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler didn't play in the Wells Fargo as he awaits the birth of his first child. We all know how "Dad strength" can help athletes, as if Scheffler needed any more help.
The PGA Tour, which has been facing a lot of issues since the introduction of LIV Golf, really needs McIlroy to get back to form to prove that the two best players in the world play on the PGA Tour.
A Sunday battle between Scheffler and McIlroy at the 2024 PGA Championship would be a dream scenario for the PGA Tour. But is it too much to ask? We'll find out in one week.