World No. 1 Rory McIlroy stormed to a stunning seven shot second Wells Championship success, a second victory in three weeks, a third triumph this season and the 18th win of his professional career.
Daylight was a distant second with McIlroy virtually winning at will in posting a final day 69 for 21-under par tally on the Quail Hollow course in suburban Charlotte where five years ago he won first on the PGA Tour.
Never has McIroy in his seven odd years in the play-for-pay ranks won three times in the first half of a year.
And a fortnight after joining Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods with 10 victories prior to his 26th birthday McIlroy has also become the winningest non-American with the most PGA Tour victories before the age of 30 and surpassing South African great Gary Player’s feat of 10 victories.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy captures his second title in three weeks and his 18th pro career victory in winning a second Wells Fargo Championship. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
McIlroy had set-up victory with a sizzling pro career low 61 on Saturday and simply went through the motions to capture an 11th PGA Tour success in his 94th start on the Tour at age 26 years, 13 days.
There was an early fourth round hiccup for the four-time Major winner when McIlroy three-putted from near 60-feet at the second and for his three-putt in 167 holes and a first dropped shot since McIlroy posted a double at his penultimate hole on Thursday.
However McIlroy again regained his victory grip on the Wells Fargo stage coach reins with five birdied over the next 14 holes.
And while he ‘duffed’ a chip shot for bogey at 17 there was a standing ovation for McIlroy as he proudly strode up the last.
“This golf course sets up perfectly for me and I had a goal today to go out and birdie the par fives and the birdie the two driveable par fours and I knew if I made six birdies there was pretty much no chance of anyone catching me,” he said.
“With my length and the way I feel I have been driving the ball it’s a big advantage and it showed this week.
“Back in 2012 when I first got to World No. 1 I felt I got a bit complacent but I have been working as hard as I can and try and be the best I can be, and that helped me get over any complacency.
“But to win here for a second time and to be the first player to win the championship for a second time is pretty special right now.”
Little known Indiana-born Patrick Rodgers (68) and local Quail Hollow resident Webb Simpson (72) shared second place at 14-under par.
And Phil Mickelson, who posted a last day 68 to share fourth spot at 12-under par, could find just two words to describe McIlroy’s effort.
“It’s impressive,” said Mickelson.
