Rory McIlroy has been crowned champion of the Wells Fargo Championship for the fourth time in his career, two weeks on from his Zurich Classic victory alongside Shane Lowry.
McIlroy headed into the final round at Quail Hollow one shot behind leader Xander Schauffele, but showed exactly why he is a four-time champion around the North Carolina course on Sunday. The Northern Irishman carded a superb six-under-par 65 in the final round to brush off Schauffele by seven shots.
The 35-year-old made the perfect start to his final round, hitting a perfect approach into the first green before rolling in for birdie to ensure he moved alongside Schauffele at the top of the Wells Fargo leaderboard.
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He soon moved back to one behind though, as he followed two pars with a frustrating bogey at the par-three fourth. The yo-yo at the top continued however as Schauffele re-shared the lead at the sixth, making a bogey of his own with a three-putt at the sixth. The perfect response followed though, as the American rolled in a superb eagle putt at the par-five seventh, whilst McIlroy made par, moving him two back.
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In just three holes however this two-shot deficit disappeared as McIlroy forged his way back. The Northern Irishman went on a hot run by making back-to-back birdies on the eighth and ninth. He then followed this up at the par-five 10th, after finding the green in two.
With 33-feet left for eagle, the world No. 2 stepped up a rolled it in to level things back up at Schauffele made birdie. McIlroy however was only just getting started, whilst his rival began his drift from the top. The European went on to make two pars and two birdies over his next holes, proving all too much for Schauffele.
Rory McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship (Getty Images)The putter remained cold for the American throughout the back nine, and all but ended his hopes with bogeys at the 12th and 13th. In the space of an hour McIlroy had gone from two behind to five in front, allowing him to cruise down the notoriously tough 'Green Mile' finish at Quail Hollow.
The moment of McIlroy's final round came a hole prior to the famous finish, and what a moment it was. Having found the front bunker with his second shot at the par-five 15th the Northern Irishman showed his best, holing out from the sand for eagle to move six ahead of Schauffele who made birdie.
McIlroy would go on to finish with two pars at 16 and 17, and despite finding the water and double-bogeying the 18th, secured a comfortable five-shot win. The victory came just days after McIlroy's fellow peers opted to reject his request for return to the PGA Tour's policy board.
Having been at the centre of the off-course politics with LIV Golf, the Wells Fargo champion decided to resign from his post as player director back in November. With peace talks with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) continuing, McIlroy express his interest in returning but was ultimately turned down by the likes of Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay and Jordan Spieth.
For now, there is no doubt his concentration will remain firmly on the course ahead of next week's PGA Championship. McIlroy will be out to win his first major title in 10 years, and will no doubt fancy his chances following back-to-back victories. He also returns to the venue in which he won his last major crown in 2014 with this year's event returning to Valhalla, a decade on from the Northern Irishman by a single shot.
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