Rory wins again, returns to No.1

Rory McIlroy has knocked Adam Scott out of the No.1 world ranking with his win in the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational, his second victory in as many starts.

BY STEVE KEIPERT

The Open Championship cast put on a reunion show at the WGC–Bridgestone Invitational but the lead protagonist remained Rory McIlroy.

The 25-year-old Northern Irishman is back in full flight as the world’s No.1 golfer after capturing his first World Golf Championship on the back of claiming his first Open Championship a fortnight ago.

Rory McIlroy reacts after a putt on the 17th green during the final round. PHOTO: Getty Images

Just as at Hoylake, McIlroy and Sergio Garcia staged an absorbing duel on the last day, with Marc Leishman in a supporting role and Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler and Charl Schwartzel accompanying. The primary plot twist had McIlroy playing the hunter rather than the hunted.

He caught his prey quickly on Sunday at Firestone Country Club. Garcia, who closed with seven consecutive birdies in the second round in a record-setting inward nine of 27, held a six-stroke lead at one point on day three and began the final round still three shots clear of McIlroy.

Garcia’s lead was gone in three holes.

McIlroy, who had birdied the 17th and 18th holes on Saturday, birdied the first three holes on Sunday to catch the Spaniard, who bogeyed the 3rd to surrender the lead entirely. The fireworks subsided for a few holes before a McIlroy bogey at the 8th and a Garcia birdie at the 9th sent the pair to the back nine tied at 14-under-par.

A birdie to McIlroy at the 11th gave him a one-shot lead until Garcia – again, like at Hoylake – bogeyed the par-3 15th to grant McIlroy a comfortable cushion. The duo matched pars on the final three holes to give the Open champion victory by two strokes. He’s in ominous form ahead of this week’s US PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.

“It’s the foundation of my game when I drive it like that,” McIlroy said of his powerful driving exhibition down the tight Firestone fairways. “I have a pretty good chance to win most weeks, and I’ve shown that the past couple of weeks. Hopefully, going into Valhalla in good form and I’ll try to get three in a row.

Filling the pool room ... McIlroy grabs another trophy, his second in as many starts. PHOTO: Getty Images

“I’ve just got to keep moving forward. I’ve got plenty of time at the end of the year to celebrate all these successes. I feel like, with the way I’m playing, there’s a few (wins) left in me this year.”

Leishman led the field after the first round with a 64 and made 23 birdies for the week in locking down third place, although he was always just out of touch of the top pair. Scott could have held on to the No.1 ranking that he’s carried since mid-May with a top-five finish but a closing 71 left him two strokes astray as the baton returns to McIlroy.

“It feels like a long time since I lost that No. 1 spot, but it feels good to be back on top,” McIlroy said. “Hopefully, I can keep it for a while.”

LEADERBOARD

1. Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) 69-64-66-66—265

2. Sergio Garcia (Esp) 68-61-67-71—267

3. Marc Leishman (Vic) 64-69-68-67—268

T4. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 65-69-73-64—271

T4. Patrick Reed (USA) 67-68-71-65—271

T4. Keegan Bradley (USA) 68-67-67-69—271

T4. Justin Rose (Eng) 65-67-70-69—271

ALSO:

T8. Adam Scott (Qld) 69-68-65-71—273

T26. John Senden (Qld) 74-66-67-71—278