Rory McIlroy Wins in Las Vegas
Rory McIlroy captured his 20th PGA TOUR victory with his one stroke win at The CJ Cup at Summit in Las Vegas.
McIlroy’s monumental win guarantees him a lifetime exemption on the PGA TOUR once he completes 15 years as a tour member in two seasons.
“It’s quite an achievement. I still need a couple more years on Tour to get that lifetime exemption, but at least I’ve got the wins,” Mcilroy said. “I was asked that question at the start of the week and it is a pretty big carrot. I think to get to 20 wins out here is a big achievement.”
McIlory bested third round leader Rickie Fowler, who has now gone close to three years since his last PGA TOUR victory at the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open.
“Today, I mean, I just had a couple swings that got me out of position,” Fowler said. “One, I had to take an unplayable lie, which was really just trying to hit it up the left part of the green there, just got a touch left of my line. And then a couple three–putts. Struggled a bit on the greens just with feel and speed. So really, all in all, you factor that in, miss a couple opportunities coming down the last couple, we’re only three shots back of Rory. So a lot of good stuff. Obviously disappointed, but this is a big step in the right direction with where we’ve been in the last two years.”
McIlroy’s biggest threat on Sunday came from Summit member Colin Morikawa, who fired a 29 on the front to get in serious contention and would close with an eagle for a final round 62.
“Whenever you shoot 62 you’re always going to be pleased, but I thought I left a few out there, especially with some putts,” two-time major champion Morikawa said. “But overall I’m very pleased the way this kind of last 18 went, especially at a course that I’ve played a lot. I felt very comfortable and it’s kind of a good way to start the season.”
Notables in the star-studded field included Adam Scott (T5,-21), Justin Thomas (T18,-18), Jordan Spieth (T18,-18), Brooks Koepka (T38,-15) and Dustin Johnson (T45,-14).
Next up on the PGA TOUR is the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan. The field includes Open Championship winner Colin Morikawa, Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele, Will Zalatoris and Rickie Fowler.
