Rory McIlroy after sinking a birdie putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Amgen Irish Open. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Rory McIlroy does not presume to be as “inevitable” as Scottie Scheffler but after adding another chapter to his annus mirabilis with a fairy-tale play-off win in the Amgen Irish Open, the USA has every reason to fear the Holywood wunderkind at Bethpage Black later this month.
Four strokes behind France’s Adrien Saddier overnight, the Masters champion (36) overcame an opening bogey with three birdies in his next four holes, then made a loop-the-loop six-footer for birdie at the 13th to keep his title hopes alive.