Rory McIlroy shows roar power as he storms through for more major glory

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Taste of victory: Rory McIlroy kisses the Wanamaker trophy after winning the US PGA Championship at Valhalla

Kevin Garside

11 August 2014

He's halfway to the Rory Slam, just the Masters and US Open to go.

Nothing seemed beyond the reach of Rory McIlory when he tapped in in the half-light here at Valhalla to claim the US PGA Championship for a second time.

Three shots behind after nine holes, two shots to the good on the 18th tee. That is what identifies the great ¬players, the ability to perform on the back nine on Sunday. McIlroy took it by a stroke in the end from Phil Mickelson, his 16 under par total making it two Majors on the spin and four in all at the tender age of 25.

Who knows where it will end with this bloke? This was in fact his third victory in a row, coming on the back of last week’s triumph at the WGC-Bridgestone. Little wonder he was walking on air at the finish.

“Amazing. Incredible. I’m not sure I’ll ever have another summer like this, so I’ve got a week off now and I’m going to enjoy it. I’ve got a lot of golf left to play this year, but I have to enjoy what I’ve just done,” he said.

With a one-shot lead at the start of the day none looked beyond him to win. If only life were that simple. The weather turned everything on its head, ensuring a twilight finish and turning the course into a coconut shy. When play restarted after a near-two hour rain delay the race was on to finish in time and McIlroy was up against it from the gun.

Those in the chasing pack made the most of the soft conditions. Ernie Els holed six birdies in eight holes to reach 11 under par. Phil Mickelson was up to 12 under with two birdies in his ¬opening three holes, Henrik Stenson hit three in five to reach the same number.

When McIlroy misjudged the pace of the third green and three-putted there was a five-way share of the lead at 12 under. The rain, plus the circumstances of defending a lead, had effectively taken away McIlroy’s advantage. The teeth of Valhalla had been removed. Greens that would be difficult to control with long-iron approaches clung on to balls as if they had been hit with wedges.

McIlroy is not the best at hanging around. Waiting to play destroyed his rhythm. Being in the final group the delays piled up. Ahead of him, Stenson was burning up the course, five under to the turn for a share of the lead with Fowler on 14 under. A birdie at nine took Mickelson alongside them.

When McIlroy stood on the 10th tee he was three shots down. It was now or never, a par-five to make up ground. He will never play one better. His drive sailed 300 yards through the ether leaving him a shot at glory with a 3 wood. No player had reached the 10th in two all day. McIlroy curled the shot of his life to seven feet and popped in the putt for eagle. He never looked back. A birdie at 13 took him one clear. He missed the chance to ease his strife by inches at 14 and 15. At 17 he hit another beauty to 10ft. This time the ball rattled the cup. All he had to do was keep his ball clean up 18.

It was so dark on the 18th tee that Fowler and Mickelson allowed them to play before they hit their approaches, and again into the green before they putted out. Mickelson birdied to reach 15 under and leave McIlroy needing a par for the championship, which he achieved via the sweetest tap-in he will ever have.

Now he is up there with Ernie Els and Raymond Floyd on the Major ladder. He needs one more to equal Seve Ballesteros and two to match Sir Nick Faldo as the most successful European golfer of the modern era. He’s up for that, too, and more.

“I never thought I’d get this far at 25 years of age,” he said. “It’s been an incredible run, and I couldn’t be more proud of myself.”

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