The fans sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Rory McIlroy all about the Quail Hollow course but a seventh top-10 in 10 events this year was not the celebration the 25-year old was seeking.
Despite fans singing ‘Happy Birthday’ all about the course and also including a large group of fans around the clubhouse also breaking into song, McIlroy could only muster a final round 70 for a then share of eighth place at eight under par.
“I got myself back into the tournament on Saturday but today was just tricky with the wind up and not many of the guys going low,” he said.
Anguish for Rory McIlroy on the occasion of his 25th birthday with a seventh top-10 finish this year in his 10 events.
“But it’s another solid week and a top-10, again. My game is solid but it’s not really what I want.
“The reception from everyone around the golf course was just fantastic and I could not have asked for anything more, as everyone has been great.
“But I just expect more of myself now and not finishing top-10 but being right in contention and right in the mix to win out here each week.
“Top-10s every week if fine but it’s not win’s, and while it is another solid week but these top-10s are not seeing me in contention and I don’t want to be having back door top-10s every week as I expect much more of myself.
“It will be also another nice pay cheque but it doesn’t get the adrenalin running, does it?”
McIlroy had breathed life into a hopeful repeat of his 2010 victory effort with a third round 65 that moved him inside the top-10 but while he was four shots back four years ago, on this occasion he was staring at a seven shot deficit.
And when he three-putted the first from 40 feet any thoughts of blowing out 25 birthday candles faded.
However birdies at seven and the eighth managed to keep McIlroy’s name on the leader board. He holed a good 15-footer for birdie at 12 but then gave the shot back at the next before birdies at 14 and 15.
McIlroy then played the ‘Green Mile’ and the closing three holes in level par.
Waiting for him when he ended his round was good friends Mitchell Tweedy and Ricky McCormack and were joining McIlroy heading straight to the airport and a 25th birthday party back at McIlroy’s palatial Florida home where the future Mrs. McIlroy was believed to be waiting for them.
“It’s good having Mitch and Ricky here and Caroline’s waiting for us when we get back home, so it should be a good night,” he said.
McIlroy will then head to Ponte Vedra this week to join fellow Irish Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke in Thursday’s starting $10m Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
McILROY’S TOP-10 RESULTS IN 2014
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship – T2nd
Omega Dubai Desert Classic – T9th
Honda Classic – T2nd
Shell Houston Open – T7th
Masters – T8th
Wells Fargo Championship – T8th
