For Rory McIlroy, there was finally a Sunday of redemption yesterday as all the near misses were cast to one side with a return to the winner's circle following a nerve-wracking victory at the Players Championship.
The 29-Year-old Northern Irishman was set a stringent 15 under par target by 48 year Jim Furyk, who was seeking a redemptive victory of his own after his Ryder Cup mauling as American captain last September.
Gentleman Jim punched his ticket with a brilliant shot to tap-in range at the 18th to complete a 67. McIlroy, however, kept his cool with a wonderful second shot to the par five 16th to set up a second successive birdie. His tee shot at the difficult 18th was the McIlroy of old, a stunning long strike down the middle.
Rory McIlroy returned to the winner's circle on Sunday at the Players Championship
Yes, Rory is back, and this was some effort, as he recovered manfully from a double bogey at the 4th and a bogey at the 7th. He finished with a 70 to win by a stroke.
After five top six finishes in his first five starts, McIlroy's fabulous start to the season now has the cherry on top with this win in the PGA Tour's flagship event and its $2.25 million first prize.
This was his 15th win in America. The only players ever to win that many times and also claim four majors in the modern game before the age of 30 just happen to go by the names of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. Not bad company to keep.
Rory McIlroy celebrates as he walks to the 18th green during the final round in Florida
Next month he will try to win the Masters and join them to become only the sixth player to claim the career Grand Slam. It will be that bit easier now, following this win.
In a tie for third place was Eddie Pepperell, who was so depressed by how he was hitting the ball last Tuesday that he gave serious consideration to flying home and missing out on his debut at the Players.
