Rory McIlroy has won his third major with a sometimes nervy, but ultimately calm and collected final round at the Open Championship at Hoylake.
The County Down man was wobbling early on, dropping shots at the fifth and sixth, while Sergio Garcia ate up the ground between them. The Spaniard was closing and McIlroy looked to be in danger of stumbling under the pressure.
The 25 year old becomes third youngest player to win 3 major titles, the other 2 being Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods and he can point to considerable mental strength, at several points this weekend, as the reason to believe he will add to that. McIlroy is also the first European golfer to complete three quarters of a career grand slam - winning three of the game's four majors.
With Garcia closing McIlroy steadied the ship and birdied arou8nd the turn, picking up 2 shots between nine and ten.
From there it was a par performance, taking him home with 71 for Sunday, -17 for the tournament and 2 shots on his nearest challenger, Garcia. It wasn’t the record breaking, US Open-esque wining margin that some hoped for – Garcia and Fowler shot 66 and 67, respectively, to stop that – but it was a performance impressive on many levels. McIlroy’s play was excellent, his nerve perhaps even better.
Elsewhere, Shane Lowry shot a bogey free course record-equalling 65 this afternoon, including 7 birdies, to end up on 10 under par.
Graeme McDowell also ended on 10 under after carding a 67, while Darren Clarke shot a 73 to end up on 4 under.
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