Dominant Rory McIlroy dismisses Tiger Woods comparisons to secure fourth Wells Fargo victory
Witness Rory McIlroy's impressive final-round surge as he claims his fourth Wells Fargo Championship title, outpacing Xander Schauffele by a commanding five-shot margin at Quail Hollow.
After a week filled with distractions, Rory McIlroy showed his skills on the golf course on Sunday. The Northern Irishman made an impressive final-round comeback to win his fourth Wells Fargo Championship. He finished five shots ahead of American Xander Schauffele, with a total score of 17-under at Quail Hollow in North Carolina.
McIlroy was two strokes behind world No. 3 Schauffele after seven holes. However, he made an impressive comeback, scoring four birdies and two eagles in the next eight holes to take the lead.
Despite finishing with a double bogey, McIlroy's six-under 65 was the top score of the day. This victory marked his 26th PGA Tour win and his second consecutive win after partnering with Shane Lowry to win the Zurich Classic last month.
McIlroy, who won the PGA Tour event for the fourth time and secured his 26th victory, expressed his disbelief to reporters. He had previously won the event in 2010, 2015, and 2021.
Reflecting on his achievements, McIlroy mentioned, "Whenever I hit some of these milestones or do these things, I always think back to 20-year-old me playing in this tournament for the first time." He admitted that if someone had told his younger self that he would achieve such success, he wouldn't have believed it.
McIlroy salutes the crowd after another win at Quail Hollow.
McIlroy salutes the crowd after another win at Quail Hollow.
Jim Dedmon/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
‘No strain’ with Woods
McIlroy made headlines after his first round on Wednesday when he announced that he would not be rejoining the PGA Tour policy board. The world No. 2 shared that his hopes for a return were halted due to "pretty complicated and messy" discussions. He mentioned that some members of the current board were "uncomfortable" with him resuming the position he had left in November after serving for two years. Among the six player directors on the board is Tiger Woods, who joined in August.
Rose Zhang poses with the trophy after winning the Founders Cup.
Rose Zhang poses with the trophy after winning the Founders Cup.
Elsa/Getty Images
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Woods and McIlroy, who are close friends and business partners, had plans to launch the TGL, an advanced indoor golf facility. However, the project has been delayed until 2025 due to the collapse of its inflatable dome venue.
McIlroy dismissed any idea of having a strained relationship with the 15-time major winner. He mentioned that he was part of the "transaction subcommittee" working to negotiate a deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the financial backer of LIV Golf.
"I believe that friends can have disagreements or different perspectives on things... I think that's completely normal," McIlroy stated on Thursday in response to a question about his relationship with Woods.
We had a great chat last Friday for about 45 minutes, covering a variety of topics. Despite having slightly different views on the future of golf, it didn't create any tension between us. I believe that our relationship and friendship can easily withstand any differences in opinion.
Woods and MclIroy are longtime friends.
Woods and MclIroy are longtime friends.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
McIlroy's recent win secured him a $3.6 million prize from a $20 million purse, boosting his momentum for the upcoming PGA Championship. It feels like the stars are aligning for him.
The 35-year-old golfer is a four-time major champion who has been playing exceptionally well in recent years. However, he has not won a major in the past 10 years, despite achieving 20 top-10 finishes during this period.
Encouraged by his recent good form, McIlroy is now aiming for his third PGA Championship title at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky. This is where he last won a major tournament.
McIlroy shared, "Winning with Shane in New Orleans really boosted my confidence."
He added, "I feel more at ease with my golf swing coming into this week, especially at a course I'm familiar with. It seems like everything is falling into place as I head to a venue where I've had previous success."
“But I’ve got a lot of golf to play and a lot of great players to try to beat next week. Going into the next major of the year feeling really good about myself.”
Editor's P/S:
Rory McIlroy's remarkable comeback victory at the Wells Fargo Championship showcases his unwavering determination and exceptional golfing prowess. Despite facing early setbacks, he rallied with an impressive streak of birdies and eagles to secure his fourth title at Quail Hollow. This triumph marks another milestone in McIlroy's illustrious career, bringing his total PGA Tour wins to 26 and further solidifying his status as a golfing legend.
McIlroy's candid reflections on his journey highlight the significance of perseverance and belief. His success serves as an inspiration to aspiring golfers and reminds us that even the most daunting challenges can be overcome with unwavering dedication and a mindset that embraces the pursuit of excellence.
