Rory McIlroy Almost Aced the Par-4 18th for Epic Win at WGC-Match Play

Rory McIlroy was down 3 early in his match against Denny McCarthy, but the world No. 3 in both the Sports Illustrated World Golf Rankings and the OWGR  rallied back and defeated the American in dramatic fashion. 

McIlroy and McCarthy both put on a shotmaking clinic on the back nine, even going “good-good” on the 15th hole as they both stuck wedges within feet of the cup. On the 18th, McIlroy stood 1 up when he pulled out his driver—which features a brand new shortened shaft—on the short par 4. 

McIlroy’s bomb flew straight down the middle, landed on the front of the green and rolled right past the pin for a near ace. The drive all but solidified McIlroy’s win, as McCarthy attempted to hole out from the rough in vain. 

“I didn’t think that I could get it on the green, and I was walking up there and Smylie [Kaufman] told me that it flew on the green. I played really well, Denny got off to a really good start. Three up early. I just played really well, played really solid, didn’t make a bogey today, made some birdies when I needed to and thankfully I was able to win the match,” McIlroy said.

Tomorrow, a final group stage match between McIlroy and Keegan Bradley—a Ryder Cup rematch—will settle which player moves on to the Round of 16.

McIlroy vs. Bradley is just one of many intriguing head-to-head matches that are set for Friday at Austin Country Club.  

Recent Genesis Invitational champion Jon Rahm will face off against Billy Horschel, who currently holds a half-point lead over the Spaniard in their group standings. If Horschel wins, he’ll advance to the next round. If Rahm wins, his fate will depend on the results of Rickie Fowler and Keith Mitchell’s match. If Rahm and Fowler both win, there will be a playoff between the two. 

Jordan Spieth must win his match against Shane Lowry tomorrow and Mackenzie Hughes must beat Taylor Montgomery for him to even remain alive. In that case, Spieth, Hughes, and Montgomery would face off in a three-way playoff. 

Scottie Scheffler will advance to the Round of 16 if he either wins or ties Tom Kim. If by chance Kim defeats the world No. 1 (No. 1 Sports Illustrated World Golf Ranking) and Davis Riley beats his opponent, Alex Noren, there would be a three-way playoff between Scheffler, Kim, and Riley.