How eagerly McIlroy would like to complete the task. A passionate Ulster supporter, he eagerly follows his rugby and responds to Ireland’s astonishing win over the All Blacks by appearing on the first tee in matching green. On the outside he had the air of a man in need of a spark. Playing the pins with his approaches, Viktor Hovland, his dazzlingly talented partner, sank all the putts. By the eighth, he stared at a two-shot deficit as the Norwegian played like he couldn’t miss from within 15 feet.
Seasoned observers of McIlroy, however, know better than to despair prematurely. The opulence of his iron game, you trusted, would pay off in the end. Sure enough, faith was paid back on the 10th, where McIlroy, after letting his drive leak a bit to the right to avoid the gorse on the left, conjured an inspired eagle out of nowhere. In a flash, Hovland’s momentum stopped, as McIlroy bounced to the back nine like a transformed player.
You always know McIlroy is in the zone when he starts spinning his club after the follow through. This telltale tic was present on the 14th, where it formed a towering four-iron from 268 meters to 33 feet. Even when threatened by multiple rivals, not least Hovland and Cameron Young, he made it clear that he was in charge.
The only unanswered question is whether he can bring his wondrous form to its ultimate fulfillment. It’s been a long time since McIlroy went into a final round with such control over his own destiny. At the 2018 Masters, he took off in the last clutch alongside Patrick Reed, but was still three back. Here he has to conquer the podium.
Impeccable in his golf and imperturbable in his temperament, he is poised for an Open coronation as compelling as St Andrews has seen. According to Jack Nicklaus, the Old Course “always” produces the best champions. McIlroy stands for a rousing confirmation of that claim.