Rory McIlroy Matches Lowest Final Round in Masters History with 64, Finishes 7 Under
Apr 10, 2022
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after holing out from the bunker for a birdie during the final round at the Masters golf tournament on Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Rory McIlroy had himself a day. A record-tying day.
The veteran golfer came into Sunday at one over but played like a man on a mission in the final round of the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, shooting an eight-under 64 and matching the lowest final-round score in Masters history.
Rory McIlroy ties the lowest final-round score in Masters Tournament history with a 64.
This is the second-lowest 18-hole score in a major of McIlroy’s career and lowest since a 63 in the first round of the 2010 Open Championship.#theMasters
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 10, 2022
Rory McIlroy's 64 is the only bogey-free round by anyone this week #TheMasters
"It's what you dream about. You dream about getting yourself in position [to win]," McIlroy said in his post-round interview on CBS. "... To finish like this, it's just absolutely incredible."
“That’s as happy as I’ve ever been on a golf course.”
He went into the clubhouse in second place, putting some pressure on Scottie Scheffler, though barring a meltdown from the current leader, it's unlikely McIlroy will win the event.
Still, McIlroy flirted with all kinds of history Sunday. Once he went seven under for the day after 13 holes, a few records were within his grasp, per PGATour.com:
The lowest 18-hole score in Masters history (63).
The lowest 18-hole score in a major championship (62).
Oh, and the chance to erase the largest final-round deficit in the history of the PGA Tour:
Rory McIlroy began the final round of the Masters Tournament 10 strokes back of the lead and currently trails by five.
The largest final-round comeback in PGA TOUR history is 10 strokes (Paul Lawrie, 1999 Open Championship).#theMasters
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 10, 2022
McIlroy couldn't quite make history. But he made himself some money, considering where he stood entering the clubhouse.
He was a birdie machine Sunday, pulling off the feat on Nos. 1, 3, 7, 8, 10 and 18. He didn't bogey once.
McIlroy will probably lament some of his struggles in the earlier rounds, which might be the difference between him and his first-ever green jacket. But he gave Augusta a Sunday for the ages regardless of where he finishes.
Even if McIlroy doesn't finally complete his career Grand Slam, it's hard to imagine he'll look back on this round with anything but fondness.
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Arnold Palmer Invitational 2022: Viktor Hovland Takes 2-Stroke Lead with 2nd-Round 66
Mar 4, 2022
Viktor Hovland, of Norway, hits from the 18th tee box during the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament Friday, March 4, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The good vibes and low numbers that characterized the first day of action at the Arnold Palmer Invitational largely went by the wayside on Friday as Orlando's Bay Hill Club & Lodge proved to be a much stiffer challenge in Round 2.
Only 18 golfers in the 120-player field shot under par on a windy Friday that saw the cut line fall to three-over.
First-round leader Rory McIlroy found himself in that exclusive group, but a seven-under 65 Thursday gave way to an even-par 72.
He's no longer leading this tournament after Viktor Hovland shot a six-under 66 to move to nine-under overall.
You can see where Hovland sits among the rest of the top 10 and ties here.
It didn't appear as though Hovland would hold the lead for long, as McIlroy began his afternoon by going two-under on the front nine. He got into a groove near the back half of that nine-hole stretch with birdies on Nos. 7 and 8.
McIlroy nearly aced No. 7 before knocking home the six-foot birdie:
The back nine proved difficult for McIlroy, however, as he emerged with seven pars and two bogeys. The first dropped shot occurred on No. 15, when McIlroy missed a 4'7" putt to save par.
The flat stick failed McIlroy again on No. 17 when he missed an eight-footer following a drive that found the rough. In between, McIlroy missed another eight-foot birdie putt on the par-five 16th.
McIlroy largely fared well off the tee with booming drives, but the rest of his game was not as kind to the four-time major winner.
Ultimately, McIlroy is still in this one thanks to his strong start.
Right now, the tournament appears to be a five-golfer race. Aside from Hovland and McIlroy, Talor Gooch, Tyrell Hatton and Billy Horschel are in the mix.
Horschel, in fifth at six-under, is three shots clear of the rest of the field.
Hatton starred alongside Hovland in the morning wave, shooting four-under. Highlights included an eagle on the par-five 12th after a 15'10" putt as well as birdies on the fourth, sixth and seventh holes. He earned the last birdie after a 51-foot putt.
Gooch also had birdies on the first, fourth and 14th holes.
Gooch finished up on No. 9, which proved to be a challenge. A drive landed in the rough, and an approach found the bunker. He then gave himself 20 feet for par but could not connect.
Horschel was tied for second after Thursday at five-under and took the lead in the morning wave after starting the back nine with three straight birdies. He nearly eagled the par-four 11th but settled for a tap-in birdie.
Horschel moved to four-under for the day after birdieing the par-five 16th, but he followed that up with a double bogey on No. 17 after finding the water off the tee.
Horschel bounced back with a birdie on the next hole, but the front nine proved to be a struggle. He finished two-over during that span.
Now the field enters the back half of the tournament following a tough round of golf Friday. Golf Channel will start its coverage at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday before tossing it over to NBC at 2:30 p.m.
Rory McIlroy Says Phil Mickelson Will Return at 'Some Stage': 'We All Make Mistakes'
Mar 2, 2022
CROMWELL, CONNECTICUT - JUNE 25: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 15th tee as Phil Mickelson of the United States looks on during the first round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 25, 2020 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy believes Phil Mickelson will return to the PGA Tour at some point.
Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend's Arnold Palmer Invitational, McIlroy said "we all make mistakes" and explained why he doesn't think Mickelson's golf career is over:
I think Phil has been a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf, still is a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf. It’s unfortunate that a few comments that he thought he was making in confidence or off the record got out there. This whole situation is unfortunate.
Look, Phil will be back. I think the players want to see him back. He’s done such a wonderful job for the game of golf, and he’s represented the game of golf very, very well for the entirety of his career.
Mickelson announced on Feb. 22 he was going to take "some time away" in the wake of his controversial comments about the Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League that was trying to sign several of the top PGA Tour stars.
An apology from Phil Mickelson, issued just now.
Says he regrets making comments and called it "reckless."
"Golf desperately needs change, and real change is always preceded by disruption." pic.twitter.com/k1XCQ12sXS
Mickelson made his comments about the Saudi league to Alan Shipnuck, who included them in an upcoming unauthorized biography.
"They're scary motherf--kers to get involved with," Mickelson told Shipnuck in November (h/t ESPN's Mark Schlabach). "... They killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates."
The reaction to those comments was swift and strong. Callaway Golf announced it was pausing its sponsorship deal with Mickelson. KPMG, Amstel Light and Workday all ended their deals with Lefty.
Speaking to GolfWeek's Adam Schupak on Feb. 20, McIlroy called Mickelson's comments "naive, selfish, egotistical, ignorant."
The Saudi Arabian government has been accused of sportswashing in an attempt to improve its standing and obscure its history of poor human rights.
Per human rights organization Grant Liberty (h/t Ruth Michaelson of The Guardian), Saudi Arabia has spent "at least" $1.5 billion to bring high-profile sporting events to the country in recent years.
Mickelson most recently played at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. He missed the cut with a score of three over par. There is no indication at this point when the 51-year-old might play in a PGA Tour event again.
Rory McIlroy Rips Phil Mickelson's 'Selfish,' 'Ignorant' Saudi Golf League Remarks
Feb 21, 2022
PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 19: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 17th green during the third round of The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 19, 2022 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy joined Justin Thomas in criticizing Phil Mickelson's comments on how the Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League might be a tool by which to effect change on the PGA Tour.
Alan Shipnuck, who's writing a biography on Mickelson, shared comments from the six-time major champion on the Super Golf League that quickly gained traction:
They're scary motherf--kers to get involved with. We know they killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates. They've been able to get by with manipulative, coercive, strong-arm tactics because we, the players, had no recourse.
Mickelson's comments didn't sit well with McIlroy, who described them as "naive, selfish, egotistical, ignorant."
"It was just very surprising and disappointing. It was just very surprising and disappointing. Sad," he told reporters. "I'm sure he's sitting at home sort of rethinking his position and where he goes from here."
Thomas echoed a similar sentiment when he said Mickelson made an "egotistical statement":
There's no question the threat of a breakaway golf tour was the kind of thing that might force the PGA Tour to rethink policies and procedures that may be unpopular among the sport's top stars.
The Player Impact Program, which established a bonus pool for the best and most popular players, was basically a preemptive strike. The FedEx Cup bonus pool increased for this season as well.
It appears the Super Golf League may go the way of the Super League in European soccer, however.
Should the Saudi-backed competition forge ahead, it will do so without a lot of the top players who will inevitably be required to make a new tour viable.
On Sunday, the PGA Tour shared a statement from Dustin Johnson, who made it clear he's not leaving. Bryson DeChambeau, widely viewed as the biggest uncertainty still on the board, recommitted to the PGA Tour for now as well.
That follows comments from McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa indicating their intention to decline any formal offer from the Super Golf League.
Even if he doesn't ultimately go anywhere, Mickelson is increasingly finding himself on an island by lending the Super Golf League the kind of legitimacy many of his peers have declined to give it.
Rory McIlroy: Won't 'Tarnish' My Reputation for 'Extra Millions' in Saudi League
Feb 16, 2022
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after he dropped his ball in the water on the 18th fairway during final round of the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Rory McIlroy reiterated his lack of interest in leaving the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed Super League in an interview with Dan Rapaport of Golf Digest.
"Look, I’ve lived it—for the top guys, all that money really isn’t going to change their life," McIlroy said.
"I’m in a way better financial position than I was a decade ago and my life is no different. I still use the same three, four rooms in my house. I just don’t see the value in tarnishing a reputation for extra millions."
As Rapaport wrote, this isn't the first time McIlroy has spoken out against the league. He began doing so in 2020 and kept that stance ever since.
News about the league has come to the forefront after PGA Tour golfer Kramer Hickok said on The Stripe Show podcast that 17 players were already signed to the new league and that events would begin this summer.
McIlroy isn't the only high-profile golfer who publicly stated that he's sticking around. Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa told reporters that he's "all for the PGA Tour."
However, other golfers could be on the move to the Super Golf League, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach:
A handful of high-profile PGA Tour players, including Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, have reportedly been mulling over offers from the potential new golf circuit being fronted by Greg Norman.
Other players from the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) have also been approached. England's Lee Westwood told reporters at the Saudi International earlier this month that he had signed a non-disclosure agreement with organizers of the new league.
As Hickok noted (h/t Schlabach), the proposed league would plan to have 12-14 events with "huge purses." It would also have 40-man fields and no cuts.
As Rapoport reported, though, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has previously stated that any golfer who jumps ship to this league would be suspended and likely expelled from the PGA Tour.
Speaking of which, the PGA Tour is heading to Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, this week for the Genesis Invitational.
CJ Cup 2021: Rory McIlroy Tops Collin Morikawa By 1 Stroke, Wins After Final-Round 66
Oct 18, 2021
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 17: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the eighth tee during the final round of THE CJ CUP @ SUMMIT at The Summit Club on October 17, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy had just one win last season, at May's Wells Fargo Championship. One tournament into his next season, he has already matched his 2021 success.
McIlroy won the CJ Cup on Sunday in Las Vegas, shooting a 6-under 66 to finish 25 under for the tournament. That left him just one stroke ahead of Collin Morikawa and three strokes in front of Keith Mitchell and Rickie Fowler.
Talor Gooch, Sam Burns, Aaron Wise and Adam Scott rounded out the top five at 21 under.
McIlroy had a brilliant weekend, storming back into contention after shooting a 62 on Saturday. He continued that with a strong round Sunday that included five birdies, an eagle and a bogey.
He averaged a driving distance of 325.1 yards on Sunday, had a driving accuracy of 71.4 percent, hit 83.3 percent of greens in regulation and lost 0.81 strokes putting, per PGATour.com.
He also hit some beautiful shots during his final round:
McIlroy needed every last one of those shots, as Morikawa charged up the leaderboard, shooting a 62 of his own Sunday. Only Emiliano Grillo's 61—which tied the event's 18-hole scoring record—during the final round was better.
But the day belonged to McIlroy, who continues to add exploits to an already impressive resume:
At age 32.5 ...
Phil Mickelson: 21 PGA Tour wins | 0 majors Rory McIlroy: 20 PGA Tour wins | 4 majors
Rory McIlroy wins the CJ Cup. Fresh off an emotional Ryder Cup, have to feel good for a player who spoke so honestly afterward about what the game means to him. He’s the best interview in the game and one of its most important figures. Golf is better when Rory is at his best.
For as big as Rory McIlroy’s victory is today, it might be bigger for the questions to which it leads: Is this the beginning of a Rory rally? Can he sustain it into next year? Maybe lead to an elusive fifth major title? All in due time, of course. But all questions worth asking.
So easy to view Rory's career through the lens of what he hasn't done. Part of it's self-inflicted. He lets us in, and it results in a parasocial connection. When he plays bad, it feels personal. But zoom out. He has 20 Ws at 32. An all time great. The furthest thing from tragic.
He also appreciated the historical context of the victory.
"It is a pretty big carrot," McIlroy told reporters. "To get to 20 wins out here is a big achievement."
Rory McIlroy Gives Emotional Interview on 2021 Ryder Cup: 'It's Been a Tough Week'
Sep 26, 2021
Team Europe's Rory McIlroy watches his shot on the 15th hole during a Ryder Cup singles match at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Rory McIlroy gave an emotional interview following his 3 and 2 singles win over Xander Schauffele on Sunday during Ryder Cup play.
"I'm incredibly proud to be part of this team, to be a teammate of all these guys, the captain, the vice captains," McIlroy said in part:
We've had a great time. You know, it looks like it's not going to pan out the way we want on the golf course. I've been extremely disappointed I haven't contributed more for the team. I'm glad I got a point on the board today for them, but it's been a tough week.
The more and more I play in this event, I realize that it's the best event in golf, bar none. And I love being a part of it, I ca't wait to be a part of many more, yea, it's the best.
It's been a tough tournament for Team Europe, which trailed Team USA 11-5 going into the final day of play from Whistling Straits Golf Course in Haven, Wisconsin.
Team USA ultimately clinched a Ryder Cup victory later Sunday after Collin Morikawa guaranteed Team USA would at least halve his singles match against Viktor Hovland following this putt on No. 17:
But as he noted, there were some struggles beforehand. The four-time major winner notably lost Friday morning foursomes, Friday afternoon four-ball and Saturday afternoon four-ball to go 0-3 entering Saturday.
The rest of Team Europe largely struggled outside the pairing of Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia, which won Friday and Saturday morning foursomes.
Still, it was clear how much this tournament meant to all the players, who showcased their emotion all week.
Shane Lowry was notably exuberant following a Saturday win:
This year's Ryder Cup was originally scheduled to take place in 2020, but it was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Team USA's victory marks its second in three tries, with the last one occurring in 2016 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota.
Ryder Cup 2021: Tee Times, TV Schedule, Pairings and Predictions for Sunday
Sep 26, 2021
Team USA's Tony Finau reacts after making a putt on the 16th hole during a four-ball match the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The European Ryder Cup squad will try to make up a six-point deficit against the United States with a front-loaded singles lineup Sunday.
Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia will be three of the first four European golfers on the course at Whistling Straits.
The United States put its stars in the middle of the 12-match lineup. Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Tony Finau and Justin Thomas will hit the course in that order from Match 5 on.
Steve Stricker's American squad needs 3.5 points from the singles matches to secure the Ryder Cup. Europe needs nine points to retain the trophy and 9.5 to win in what would be the largest comeback in event history.
Each of the 12 singles matches is worth one point. Play at Whistling Straits will start at noon ET on NBC.
Ryder Cup Sunday Matches
Sunday Singles Pairings for the 43rd Ryder Cup@ROLEX | #RyderCup
Europe Gets Off to Fast Start Behind Veteran Players
Europe captain Padraig Harrington could not wait until the middle matches of singles play to put his best golfers on the course.
The strategy behind starting off with McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Rahm and Garcia is to attempt to set the tone for the afternoon. At minimum, the three Ryder Cup veterans and Lowry, who won a match Saturday afternoon, can stop a total domination by the United States.
Rahm and Garcia are the most likely winners of the quartet. They are the only European players with more than two points won in Wisconsin. The Spanish duo just have to continue to play steady golf Sunday to deal with their respective matches against Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau.
Scheffler and DeChambeau turned in solid performances as a pairing over the past two days, but they could be done in by a few erratic drives in matches where the margin of error will be slim.
In 2018, Rahm and Garcia won their singles matches 2 and 1, while DeChambeau lost the final match on course to Alex Noren.
The European wild card is McIlroy, who is 0-3 at Whistling Straits. If he turns around his form against Xander Schauffele, Europe can at least try to mount a comeback.
Lowry's match with FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay will be fascinating since it pits a major winner against one of the best players on the PGA Tour last season. If Lowry banks off the momentum from his Saturday afternoon win alongside Tyrrell Hatton, Europe can at least put a respectable number on the board.
Europe could be set up for a similar start to the one the United States had in 2018. The Americans took 2.5 points from the first three matches before the Europeans ran away with the middle matches.
Tony Finau Clinches Ryder Cup for United States
Three years ago, Europe secured the Ryder Cup in the eighth singles match.
Tony Finau sits in that position for the Americans on Sunday, as he goes up against Ian Poulter.
Finau was part of one of the most lopsided matches Friday, as he and Harris English beat Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry 4 and 3. Finau did not win his Saturday four-ball match alongside English, but they did push Lowry and Hatton to the 18th hole.
If Finau displays a steady hand and fends off the threat posed by Poulter, he could secure the clinching point or half-point Sunday.
Poulter, who has haunted the Americans in previous Ryder Cups, is 0-2 at Whistling Straits. He may not have the same magic at his disposal that led him to a 14-6-2 Ryder Cup record.
The United States should go on a run once Johnson and Morikawa get going. Both players are undefeated through two days of competition. If Johnson defeats Paul Casey and Morikawa takes down Viktor Hovland, the Americans will need 1.5 points to clinch.
If the United States gets at least a half-point from the opening matches, Finau could get the job done and render the final four matches on course irrelevant to the final score.
