The 30-year-old portrayed the perfect mixture of focus and skill as he made his way around the course with a fierce determination. By the back nine golf fans around the globe watched to see if McIlroy would in fact be able to end the day with an incredible 59, but a bogey on the 18th meant he finished with a 9-under 61, 7-strokes ahead of his nearest competition.
“I don’t know what golf Rory is playing today, but it was just incredible,” Shane Lowry stated on Sunday.
McIlroy’s win on Sunday isn’t surprising considering the consistency he’s been showing this year, finishing in the top 10 in 10 of his last 12 tournaments. But earning the title here is a great way for the world number 4 to start off the U.S. Open week, where he’s hoping to continue his good form at Pebble Beach.
“I played with so much freedom over the weekend, more freedom than I’ve had for a long while, which is exciting,” McIlroy told reporters afterwards. Adding, “To get a win going into next week is huge.”
Here’s a look at Rory’s winning bag:
Driver: TaylorMade M5
Fairway Woods: TaylorMade M6; TaylorMade M5
Irons: TaylorMade P-750; TaylorMade P-730
Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind; TaylorMade Hi-Toe
Putter: TaylorMade Spider X
Golf Ball: TaylorMade TP5