Rory McIlroy scores two-shot victory at Pebble…
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Rory McIlroy performed a sport practically as magnificent because the Pebble Beach surroundings Sunday as he powered his well beyond a pack of contenders and closed with a 6-under 66 for a two-shot victory within the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
McIlroy is one of the highest points of interest in golf, which solely added to the appeal of the stunning sunshine and crashing surf at America’s most well-known coastal golf course. And similar to that, a sleepy begin to the PGA Tour season had some life to it.
On a day when six gamers had at least a share of the lead, McIlroy took the highest spot for good with an 18-foot birdie putt on the tenth gap into a stiff breeze alongside the Pacific. He successfully ended the drama with a towering drive and a 7-iron into the 571-yard 14th gap, setting up an eagle putt from simply exterior 25 toes.
“To win at one of the cathedrals of golf is really cool,” McIlroy mentioned.
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, celebrates at Pebble Beach Golf Links after successful the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf match, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Pebble Beach, Calif. AP
Rory McIlroy celebrates successful on the 18th gap during the ultimate spherical of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf match at Pebble Beach Golf Links. USA TODAY Sports by way of Reuters Con
Shane Lowry fell out of a share for the lead when he despatched his second shot over a cliff to the suitable of the par-5 sixth. But he shot 31 on the back 9, together with a birdie on the ultimate gap for a 68 that gave him second place alone.
Lucas Glover (67) and Justin Rose (68) had been one other shot behind. Sepp Straka, who began the ultimate spherical with a one-shot lead, had a 72 and tied for seventh.
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 participant whose season was delayed by minor hand surgical procedure from punctured glass whereas making ravioli, closed with a 67 and tied for ninth.
McIlroy has talked about this being an important yr for him, although his focus was more on April by means of September — an eleventh likelihood to finish the profession Grand Slam at the Masters, a return home to Northern Ireland for the British Open, a highway Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
This wasn’t a dangerous begin.
Rory McIlroy (left) is congratulated by Shane Lowry (proper) for successful on the 18th gap during the ultimate spherical of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf match at Pebble Beach Golf Links. USA TODAY Sports by way of Reuters Con
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland performs his shot from the 14th tee during the ultimate spherical of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2025 at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 02, 2025 in Pebble Beach, California. Getty Images
“It’s a really cool way to start the season,” mentioned McIlroy, who gained for the second time in California. “To get this win this early means a great deal, and hopefully I’ll keep the momentum going into Torrey Pines in a couple weeks’ time.”
The sixth gap started to separate the pack a little. In consecutive teams, Rose went over the cliff along with his tee shot and Tom Kim hit down the hill towards the ocean along with his second shot. Lowry adopted him within the last group, resulting in bogey.
But actually, McIlroy appeared as if he was the participant to beat from the second gap, when he hit a powerful pitch from 50 yards away over a bunker to a back pin with enough peak and spin to set up a 2-foot birdie putt.
But it was after his lone bogey on the powerful eighth gap the place he pulled away — the 18-foot birdie on the tenth, a tee shot into 8 toes for birdie on the par-3 twelfth and eventually get his due on the 14th gap. McIlroy drilled his drive for the third straight day over a tree, over the bunker complicated and into the green. The earlier two days, he needed to accept par.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland acknowledges the group after successful during the ultimate spherical of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2025. Getty Images
This time, he cashed in for an eagle, extending his result in 4 photographs. And when he hit wedge into 3 toes for birdie on the fifteenth, it led to 1 of the best stress-free and lovely walks on the PGA Tour.
Everyone else was left in a hopeless chase.
“When he’s good, he’s great. And when he’s not great, he’s good,” Glover mentioned. “There’s a reason he’s got 20-something wins and a bunch of majors and the game he has. Impressive round out there today under the pressure and under the conditions.”
McIlroy gained for the twenty seventh time on the tour and is twenty first on the profession victory checklist. He’s been caught on 4 majors since successful the PGA Championship 11 years in the past, and that he’s sure to be reminded of that because the Masters will get closers.
Rory McIlroy hoists the trophy after successful the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf match on Sunday. AP
For now, it will do. It’s his second victory in a signature occasion that McIlroy and different prime gamers helped to create.
“When he’s good, he’s great and when he’s not great, he’s good,” Glover mentioned. “There’s a reason he’s got 20-something wins and a bunch of majors and the game he has. Impressive round out there today under the pressure and under the conditions.”
McIlroy gained his second signature occasion — he gained at Quail Hollow final yr — to earn $3.6 million. He completed at 21-under 267, one shot to par away from the match document.
Lowry at least tried to make him sweat, staying within vary till lacking a 7-foot birdie putt on the seventeenth gap that may have narrowed the hole to 2. His last birdie, nevertheless, gave him a tidy comfort of $2.16 million for second place.
“I always say I believe when players like Rory McIlroy turns up and they have their ‘A’ game, they’re pretty impossible to beat,” Lowry mentioned.
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