A clearly tired-looking Rory McIlroy left Memphis headed straight home to Florida declaring he did not want to see his golf clubs for at least a week and the next Tour stop in New Jersey.
For a third day running McIlroy travelled ‘Route 66’ in posting a four-under 66 for a 10-under par tally and an eventual top-15 finish in continuing hot conditions at the WGC – FedEx St. Jude invitational on the TPC Southwind course
And for a third round in succession, McIlroy recorded five birdies and one bogey and as he had done on both Friday and Saturday and with Sunday’s birdies arriving at the first, third, fourth, sixth and ninth holes.
Rory McIlroy on route to a third round of 66 on the final day of the WGC – FedEx St. Jude Invitational (Photo – Getty/PGA Tour)
McIlroy’s only bogey was at the 13th and sandwiched among eight inward pars.
“Looking back, it feels like a week that could have been”, he said.
“The thing is that 12 of the 13 guys who played in the Olympics last week each lost their three-ball matches on the first day, so jet-lag was pretty prevalent among those who had been competing in Japan.
“Though once I shook that off after my opening 72, I played well shooting 66 each of the three days while after today’s start, I could have shot anything, maybe a 62 or a 61.
“The game is there and I feel really good but just looking forward to a week off and then get back at it for the Play-Offs”.
In fact, McIlroy has played four events in four weeks on three different continents with appearances in the Scotish Open, The Open, Olympics and Memphis.
And there was no real surprise when asked what his plans were this coming week.
“I’m not doing anything, at all, and I don’t want to see my golf clubs until I get to New Jersey for my next event.”
Joining McIlroy also[ with a well-earned week off is fellow Irish Olympian Shane Lowry who produced a closing round 70 for a six-under par tally.
Lowry also managed five birdies but the tell tale ‘I also need a rest’ signs with three bogey and an 11th hole double-bogey in making an unwanted splash at the island green hole.
American Harris English maintained his grip of the $10.5 event late in the round as the 32-year-old chases a second Tour win in as many months.
