BREAKDOWN: Rory McIlroy’s Runaway Victory at Quail Hollow

Amidst the PIF, negotiations, Strategic Sports Group, subcommittees, and internal politics, there is plenty of golf still being played. Pro golf is in a tricky spot, where players are required to become negotiators and peacemakers in the swamp that is now the fight for hegemony in the game.

Turns out, a bit of politics is all Rory needed to relight the fire in him, as he celebrates a barnstorming Sunday win at Wells Fargo. He started the day trailing the in-form Xander Schauffele by one stroke.

On Saturday, Rory had one of his best driving days of all time, topping out at 190mph ball speed, flying fairway bunkers with ease, ranging from 313 to 358 yards for the day, and hitting ten of thirteen fairways, a few inches off, making it eleven.

He repeated the same ball-striking performance on Sunday; it was vintage Rory. Gaining strokes left and right off the tee and a hot putter puts him in a realm where no one can compete.

Kyle Porter presented Rory’s weekend numbers, an average of 188 MPH ball speed and 333 yards of driving distance on average, with almost three strokes gained off the tee.

It’s the 2014 Rory resurfacing just in time for the trip to Valhalla, and something appears to be different about his attitude and demeanor. When the bouncy chest walk returns, you know he’s feeling good.

Final numbers on the 13 holes where Rory hit driver today.

10/13 fairways (one first cut)
Shortest: 313 yards
Longest: 358 yards
Average distance: 333 yards
Average ball speed: 188 mph
Strokes gained: off the tee: 2.99 (inc. the 5 wood he hit).

One of the great driving days…

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) May 11, 2024

The numbers have been incredible this week. He is more than ten yards ahead of his competition in terms of driving distance average and hitting frozen ropes.

McIlroy said during a Mic’d Up interview on Saturday:

“I’m so comfortable off the tee here. I stand up on the tee and feel like I have an advantage straight away.”

His victory looked possible after he made the turn on Sunday, but a run of eagle birdie-birdie vaulted him to a two-stroke lead. Smart par saves as Xander faltered in characteristic Sunday fashion was then bolstered by another eagle, this time holing out from the front bunker on 14, a hole Rory had made good decisions on all week. He literally ran away from the field.

HOLE-OUT EAGLE FOR RORY!!!

He now leads by SIX! pic.twitter.com/UE49lwfwNC

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 12, 2024

Not even a double bogey on the 72^nd hole after a water ball could dampen the spirits; Rory had carded a Sunday 67 and a five-stroke victory, his fourth at Quail Hollow. An ominous message to other competitors: “I feel like I’m back where I need to be.”

Rory, Scottie Scheffler, and Brooks Koepka all arrive at Valhalla with a win in their last competitive start.

Cover Image via PGA TOUR