2 May is the anniversary of Rory McIlroy’s first win on US soil as he claimed the Quail Hollow Championship back in 2010.
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What made McIlroy’s win, after just three years as a pro, remarkable was not only the fact that he had missed the cut at both the Houston Open and the Masters. The Northern Irishman nearly missed the cut as he sat two strokes over the line with three to play.
‘Most important shot of the year, to be honest,’ McIlroy said at the time of his 206-yard approach that set up a career-changing eagle. He followed rounds of 72 and 73 with a 66.
‘If I don’t make eagle there, I’m practising at Ponte Vedra this weekend. I said after the 66 yesterday: “That could have been the turning point in my season.” I think today I’ve confirmed that.’
A Sunday back nine 30 capped off by a 43-foot putt at the last helped seal a 62, a course record, his first win and a four-stroke cushion over Phil Mickelson.
He celebrated his 21st birthday two weeks before this breakthrough.
.@McIlroyRory won for the first time on TOUR in 2010 with an exclamation point on 18.#TOURVault pic.twitter.com/ccfRdLHyTJ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 2, 2018
