Northern Irishman wins Wells Fargo ChampionshipMcIlroy’s last victory was in November 2019There’s something about Charlotte. When Rory McIlroy missed the cut at the 2010 Masters, he responded by winning what was then the Quail Hollow Championship. The next Friday night exit from Augusta National for the Northern Irishman, 11 years later, has been followed up by victory at the same venue. No wonder McIlroy was seen to take deep breaths over Quail Hollow’s renowned “Green Mile” of closing three holes; this marked his first win since November 2019 - 553 days, to be precise – and the perfect riposte to widespread depictions of crisis. McIlroy has only just turned 32; form is temporary.
McIlroy’s closing round of 68 saw him take the Wells Fargo Championship by one at 10 under par. His recently, much-publicised tales of woe aside, this was a timely trophy collection; the US PGA Championship begins on Thursday week at Kiawah Island. McIlroy romped to victory at the same course in the same tournament nine years ago. This marks McIlroy’s third Quail Hollow success but is by far the most significant. He had to scrape and scrap for first place, as belies any notion of a golfer living off past glories.