Rory McIlroy celebrated yet another top-10 PGA Tour finish this season with a milkshake after a closing 68 at the Memorial in Dublin, Ohio.
McIlroy birdied three holes in succession from the 15th in a closing Muirfield Village last day for a 13-under par tally.
The effort was the reigning Dubai Duty Free Irish Open winner’s fifth top-10 finish in 10 PGA Tour FedEx Cup counting events this year.
But yet again Stateside this season it was a frustrating week for the current World No. 3 despite recording 25 birdies.
Rory McIlroy secures his third fourth place finish this season on the PGA Tour. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
McIlroy had been well off the pace posting a first round 71 before fighting the over-taking lane with a second day 66 but again lost ground on the leaders with a Saturday 70.
But then McIlroy gave himself far too much to do over the closing 18 despite six birdies on the last day but managing to complete his round just minutes before play was halted as the heaven’s soon opened on ‘Jack’s course’.
“It was again a little bit like a week that could have been but I have to take the positives as there is a lot of good golf in there with 25 birdies over the four days,” he said.
“So, it’s good and while there was a couple of dropped shots today along with some loose irons shots and some loose bogeys the first two days, overall I felt I played pretty well this week and it goes well heading into the US Open, and the big one on everyone’s mind.
“So it could have been better this week but then my game is going in the right direction and I am really happy with how I am driving the ball while my putting is a lot better.”
And in another plus for McIlroy he recorded 20 less putts in Dublin, Ohio than he did in having 129 putts on route to victory at the K. Club course near Dublin, Ireland.
“It’s very encouraging with regards to my putting the first week back since winning the Irish Open”, he said.
The result also is McIlroy’s third top-10 at the Memorial after being fifth in 2011 and a year after finishing T10th on his Dublin debut in 2010.Now with a week off, McIlroy heads to the June 16th starting U.S. Open and chasing that illusive fifth Major Championship.
“I am going to Oakmont tonight and will play there Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning and then I will just go back home and practice, and get ready,” he said.
“I will then try to stay away from thinking about it as much as I can because if I can get two good looks at Oakmont I will be happy before going back on the Monday night before the championship itself.
“So looking forward to seeing Oakmont as I have never been there before.
“But I was just so pleased to get finished today because my ball plugged on 18 and I knew the referee was close to sounding the siren and I asked him how much time I had and said not a lot.
“So it was just nice to get into the clubhouse and I can go and enjoy a milkshake now.”
