TPC Boston, MA … Rory McIlroy rode out the growing affects of Hurricane Hermine creating a storm of his own and capture a first PGA Tour victory in 15 months with a second Deutsche Bank Championship success in four years.
McIlroy came from six shots behind third round leader Paul Casey to draw level with the Englishman after just nine holes and then go on to win by two shots with a 65 for a 15-under par tally at TPC Boston.
Officials brought forward the final day as the hurricane off the New England coast intensified and sending temperatures plummeting and the winds increasing.
It is McIlroy’s first taste of success in the States since May 2015 and he now joins Tiger Woods as the only player to capture three FedEx Cup Play-Off titles in the 10-year anniversary of the series.
Rory McIlroy creates a storm of his own to win the 2016 Deutsche Bank Championship. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
And what is remarkable is the fact McIlroy was four over par after just three holes in Friday’s first round.
“It’s just amazing how things can change in this game so quickly from being three over par early in this tournament and now walking away with a trophy,” he said.
“There were a lot of things going through my mind and one of them was not winning this golf tournament but from thereon I have played some great golf and holed some great putts this week.
“I am just really proud of myself how I managed to hang in there that first day and then to get some momentum on Saturday and go with it makes it nice also to get my first win this year in the States.
“Hopefully with this momentum I can play well in the remaining two FedEx Cup events and then take the form into the Ryder Cup and help team Europe win another one of those.”
The future Mrs. Mcilroy enjoys celebrating McIlroy’s first win Stateside in 15 months. (Photo – PGA Tour.com)
Tour officials took the wise step to bring the final round tee times forward given weather forecasters predicting Hurricane Hermine would bring stronger winds and heavy rain in the later part of the day.
Casey had eagled the last on Sunday to grab a three-shot leading cushion as he sought a first PGA Tour win since capturing the 2009 Shell Houston Open.
But the affable Englishman, who elected not to take up European Tour membership this year, did not count on McIlroy’s storming finish.
Needing to eagle the last to force a play-off, Casey holed out for a birdie in a round of two over par 73 after three straight scores of 66.
The current World No. 5 ranked McIlroy went into the last day sharing seventh place at nine under par after rounds 71, 67 and 66.
Since that third hole McIlroy posted 22 birdies but then it was four birdies in succession from the fifth hole on Sunday and a tap-in eagle to end his third round that put McIlroy in frame for success.
And with the temperatures having dropped appreciably ahead of Hermine making its presence felt, McIlroy turned up the heat on the final day picking up five birdies over his outward half including three in succession with the best being holing an 18-footer at the par three eighth hole.
McIlroy birdied the 12th and dropped his only shot of the day with a poor tee shot at the par four, 17th in finding the rough and landing his second in a bunker some 30-yards short of the green.
The win is McIlroy’s 12th - counting PGA Tour title and moved him to fourth on the FedEx Cup points table heading to Thursday’s starting BMW Championship in Indianapolis and an event he also captured in 2012.
Among the first to congratulate McIlroy was his newly-married manager, Sean O’Flaherty while Darren Clarke would be sure to be among those quick to send a congratulatory text to the leading Hazeltine qualifier.
While McIlroy is sure to hear from new putting coach, Phil Kenyon who has help steer Henrik Stenson to Open Championship glory and Justin Rose to an Olympic Gold medal.
“My putting feels really comfortable but then it is still work in progress though I have seen some really good signs this week and I am really encouraged going forward,” said McIlroy.
Though Rose will not want to dwell on his final Boston round of 79 that included horribly dropping 10 shots in a 10-hole stretch from the 11th to 16th holes
Casey was brave in defeat and with reward being jumping 49 spots to 10th on the FedEx Cup standing
