The Open: Lowry goes low and Sergio snaps driver... as McIlroy plots repeat of 2022 six-shot miracle win over Scheffler
I bring to you another story of hope on this fine Sunday morning.
It's late August 2022, and Rory McIlroy is going into the final round of the Tour Championship, six shots behind one Scottie Scheffler. The American has opened the week with rounds of 65 / 66 / 66. He's looking unbeatable.
Then on Sunday at East Lake, he opens with a bogey - and follows it up with two more at the fourth and the sixth. A birdie at eight gave him only a momentary reprieve, as he dropped a further shot at 16 to card a three-over-par final round 73. It was a day on which he hit just half the greens in regulations, and only slightly more fairways.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy followed up his Saturday 63 with a four-under-par 66 on Sunday to complete a seven-shot swing and win by one. McIlroy also started with bogey, but had carded four birdies by the turn to reel Scheffler in to just a single shot between them. Two birdies on the back (and one drop shot) was enough to get the job done.
After the tournament, Rory apologised to Scottie's parents, but received a gracious response.
'I'm sorry,' he said to Scott and Diane Scheffler. 'He deserves it. He's had an unbelievable year.' Scheffler's father repied: 'So did you. Good playing.' 'Congrats,' added Diane. 'Good job. Great job.' 'What a week, what a day,' stated McIlroy. 'I feel like Scottie deserves at least half of this. He's a hell of a competitor. It was an honour to battle with him."
So Scheffler may look rock solid this week so far, but he looked that way at East Lake in 2022 as well...
It's not quite over yet.
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