Rory McIlroy proved to be just too good for Xander Schauffele at the Wells Fargo Championship on Sunday, with the Northern Irishman perfectly positioned ahead of the PGA Championship.
Xander Schauffele eloquently captured the essence of Rory McIlroy’s remarkable performance at Quail Hollow on Sunday, securing his fourth Wells Fargo Championship title. It is undeniable that McIlroy’s talent and skill set him apart in the world of golf.
McIlroy displayed exceptional form in Charlotte, North Carolina, reminiscent of his younger self who dominated the field to claim his inaugural PGA Tour victory 14 years ago. When the Northern Irishman is in such top form, only the formidable Scottie Scheffler can rival him.
McIlroy made an incredible eight-under-par run across eight holes on Sunday, turning a two-shot deficit into a commanding lead in no time. With two eagles, four birdies, and flashes of golfing brilliance, a double bogey on the 72nd hole didn’t even matter.
Schauffele was left astounded by the sheer power of nature. He was fully aware of it. “He effortlessly drives the ball 350 yards with the wind behind him, and as a result, he has shorter irons to approach the firm greens compared to everyone else. When he’s in the zone, he’s unstoppable. I must commend him for his victory. Yes, he played exceptionally well.
“Generally, I felt like I was performing quite decently throughout the day, but then I had that unfortunate stretch, and he took full advantage like nobody else could. It was a significant turnaround.”
McIlroy began the day at 11-under, trailing the wire-to-wire leader Schauffele by one stroke. However, right from the start, McIlroy made an impressive shot with his gap wedge, landing it close to the hole, leveling the playing field.
However, as the afternoon progressed, it seemed like the momentum shifted in Schauffele’s favor at the seventh hole, a par-five. Both players managed to reach the green in two shots, but unfortunately, McIlroy struggled with his putting and ended up three-putting. On the other hand, the American golfer successfully sank his eagle attempt, extending his lead to two strokes at 13-under.
McIlroy surged ahead with a remarkable birdie-birdie-eagle sequence, establishing a two-shot lead over Schauffele within three holes. By the 12th, McIlroy had a commanding four-shot advantage as Schauffele struggled with a bogey despite a strong tee shot.
McIlroy finished with a final-round 65, winning by five strokes at 17-under. Looking ahead to the PGA Championship at Valhalla, McIlroy expressed that the “stars are aligning” as he revisits the site of his major championship victory from ten years ago.
Just like before, he is heading to Kentucky after a significant victory, and his performance seems to be at its peak compared to the past few years. His driving skills are top-notch as always, but the most important improvement is in his short iron control since getting some swing advice from the respected Butch Harmon last month.
The Ulsterman’s putting game is also on point, sinking an impressive 133 feet of putts in the first 14 holes on Sunday.
McIlroy has faced this scenario previously, entering a major tournament as one of the top contenders for victory. Throughout the last decade, he has often fallen short of expectations. The pressure at Valhalla will be significant, especially with the return of world number one Scottie Scheffler, who missed the Wells Fargo to be present for the birth of his first child.
“I am aware of my capabilities,” McIlroy stated following his third win of the season. “When I am performing at my best, this is the level of play I can achieve. I experienced a period of inconsistency earlier this year, but I believe I have regained my form.”
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