McIlroy Wins Second Straight Major


In one of the weirdest finishes in recent memory, Rory McIlroy overcame darkness and a stalking Phil Mickelson at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville to win the 96th PGA Championship.

McIlroy, who won the Open Championship three weeks ago and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last week, closed with a 3-under 68 for a total of 16-under 268, a stroke ahead of Mickelson and two in front of Henrik Stenson (66) and Rickie Fowler (68).

Because of heavy rainfall (since Friday the site received almost 2.5 inches of rain), the final round endured a one-hour-and-50-minute delay before play started. The delay caused a scramble at the end. After Mickelson and Fowler hit their drives on the par-5 18th in the growing darkness and as thunderstorms were heard nearby, officials halted the penultimate twosome and allowed McIlroy and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger in the last group to tee off.

Mickelson and Fowler then hit their approaches; when they got to the green McIlroy and Wiesberger were allowed to hit up. As the final twosome walked up to the green, Mickelson and Fowler played on. Mickelson almost sank his chip shot from in front of the green for a possibly tying eagle, his ball stopping just a foot away for an easy tap-in birdie and his 66.

Fowler found the green but three-putted for his fourth top-five finish in majors this year.

McIlroy's approach landed in a bunker at the front-left of the green. He splashed out to 30 feet and two-putted for the par and one-stroke win. As the crowd let out a huge roar and the cell-phones and cameras flashed in the gloaming, McIlroy gave a big fist pump, waved to the crowd and, as he exited the green, embraced his father Gerry.

The victory was the fourth Grand Slam title in the career of McIlroy, joining his earlier wins in the 2011 U.S. Open, 2012 PGA Championship and two of the four majors this year. He cemented his position as the No. 1-ranked player in golf and almost certainly PGA Tour Player of the Year honors.

"They showed a lot a sportsmanship and class; many thanks to those guys," he said during the Wanamaker Trophy presentation about the courtesy of Mickelson and Fowler in allowing the unusual, non-standard foursome finish.

As for his recent hot streak, McIlroy added, "It's been just incredible. I didn't think in my wildest dreams I'd have a summer like this. I've played the best golf of my life. I think I showed a lot of guts."

McIlroy broke free from the pack with an eagle on the 10th thanks to a brilliant 3-wood approach on the 590-yard par-5 to 10 feet, two birdies and the rest pars on the back nine.

Mickelson said during a brief TV interview, "It was good for me to get back in the mix . . . I kind of ran out of steam." As far as the last hole, he added, "This was not like you normally do, it's not that big of a deal. It was great that Rory was able to finish."

The ending was particularly disappointing for Fowler, who in 2014 finished tied for fifth in the Masters, had T2s in both the U.S. Open and Open Championship, and tied for third on Sunday. "This is the one that stings," he said glumly. Fowler began Sunday at Valhalla only two strokes back of 54-hole leader McIlroy.

Jim Furyk closed with a 66 to take a share of fifth at 12-under 272 with Ryan Palmer (68), while another stroke back at 11-under were Jimmy Walker (65), Ernie Els (65), Victor Dubuisson (66), Hunter Mahan (67), Steve Stricker (68) and Mikko Ilonen (69).

Brandt Snedeker (67 and Kevin Chappell (68) ended up sharing 13th at 274, while at 275 were Charl Schwartzel (66), Marc Warren (67), Brooks Koepka (67), Lee Westwood (69), Adam Scott (69), Graham DeLaet (70), Jason Day (72) and Wiesberger (74).

On his 54th birthday, local favorite Kenny Perry ended the tournament in style, closing with a three-birdie 68 to end up at 6-under 278. Perry's fellow Kentuckian, J.B. Holmes, struggled Sunday, posting a 78 to drop into a tie for 65th at 3-over 287.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/scoring/leaderboard.