Rory McIlroy secured the 27th PGA Tour title of his career with an impressive victory at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Delivering a superb final round of 66, McIlroy carded an eagle and five birdies to finish at 21 under par, just one shot shy of the tournament record set in 2015.
Shane Lowry, his playing partner, birdied the 18th to secure second place outright at 19 under. Justin Rose and Lucas Glover finished tied for third after Rose made an eagle on the final hole. The significance of winning at Pebble Beach was not lost on McIlroy, who described it as a special achievement. He acknowledged that some critics have downplayed the courses where he has won in the past, but he was thrilled to claim victory at what he called one of golf’s “cathedrals.”
Knowing the competition would be tough, McIlroy focused on playing his best game rather than getting caught up in the prestige of the course. His strategy paid off, allowing him to enjoy the walk up the 18th fairway, fully taking in the moment. Reflecting on the win, he shared that he remains as determined as ever and hopes to carry the momentum forward into his upcoming tournament at Torrey Pines.
Starting the day one shot behind Sepp Straka, McIlroy quickly moved into the lead with birdies on the 2nd and 7th holes but slipped back into a tie after a bogey on the 8th. A birdie on the 10th put him back in front, and he built on that lead with another on the 12th. The defining moment came on the par-five 14th, where he took an aggressive line over the dogleg, launching a 339-yard drive before landing his approach on the green with a mid-iron. He then drained a 25-foot putt for eagle, a critical shot that gave him a comfortable cushion heading into the final holes.
McIlroy highlighted the significance of that moment, noting that he had hit great tee shots on the 14th throughout the tournament but had failed to capitalize on them. Determined not to let the opportunity slip away again, he executed his approach perfectly and was rewarded with a crucial putt.
Despite a bogey on the 8th, he played the following stretch of holes flawlessly, ensuring that he had enough of a buffer to enjoy a relatively stress-free finish. His composed performance under pressure cemented his victory and reinforced his confidence for the season ahead.
Meanwhile, overnight leader Straka, who had won the American Express in his previous start, struggled in the final round. A closing 72 saw him drop into a tie for seventh, unable to keep pace with McIlroy’s dominant display.
With this win, McIlroy reaffirmed his status as one of the game’s elite players and demonstrated that he remains a formidable contender on golf’s biggest stages. His early-season success sets the tone for what could be another memorable year on the PGA Tour.
