Rory McIlroy Shoots Final Round 65 to Cruise to Victory at Wells Fargo Championship

Rory McIlroy is at the top of his game at the perfect time, with the PGA Championship just around the corner. On Sunday, McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship for the record-breaking fourth time in his career, and he did it in dominating fashion. He had to overcome a two-shot deficit to Xander Schauffele, and he did so easily. He went on to win by five strokes, thanks in large part to a final round 65. 

Rory encountered that two-stroke deficit after Schauffele made an eagle on the seventh hole. However, McIlroy responded by playing the next eight holes at eight under par, including making two eagles. The hole that put the match away was the 13th hole, in which McIlroy made another birdie, and Schauffele was unable to save a bogey, resulting in a double bogey and a four-shot swing on the hole. This marked a disappointing end to a strong week for Xander Schauffele after he began the week shooting rounds of 64 and 67, only to shoot back-to-back rounds in the 70s on the weekend. McIlroy double-bogeyed the 18th hole but still won by a comfortable five strokes, finishing the tournament at -17. Schauffele’s final round 71 resulted in him completing the week at -12. No other golfer was double digits under par.  

The Northern Ireland native appears to be oozing confidence after shooting two rounds of 67, a round of 68, and a final round of 65 this weekend, on top of winning last weekend on Tour in the Zurich Classic with his partner Shane Lowry. Back-to-back wins on Tour were exactly what Rory needed, with the second major of the season looming next week. Especially given his disappointing performance at Augusta in April, McIlroy is looking to continue his high level of play at the PGA Championship. Another reason to feel good for Rory is that the PGA Championship will be at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, the site of McIIroy’s last major championship ten years ago.