McIlroy, 20, captures PGA event; Miyazato wins in Mexico

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Rory McIlroy considers it his most important shot of the year, one that ultimately led to victory Sunday in the Quail Hollow Championship and made him the youngest PGA Tour winner since Tiger Woods.

It wasn’t the 5-iron up the steep hill on the 15th that settled 3 feet away for eagle. Nor was it the 7-iron out of the bunker on the 16th hole that was so good he didn’t even bother to watch it land 5 feet from the cup.

The shot wasn’t even on Sunday.

The 20-year-old from Northern Ireland was on the verge of missing his third cut in a row. He was two shots over the cut line with three holes to play Friday afternoon when he fearlessly hit a 4-iron from 206 yards into the breeze and right over the water to 6 feet for an eagle. He made the cut on the number.

“The rest,” he said with his engaging smile, “is history.”

Was it ever.

McIlroy shot the lowest round each of the last two days at Quail Hollow, and the final round was nothing short of spectacular. Playing with final five holes in 5 under — and finishing with six 3s on his card — he set the course record with a 10-under 62 for a four-shot victory over Masters champion Phil Mickelson.

McIlroy finished in style, rolling in a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole and thrusting his fist in the air.

LPGA

MORELIA, Mexico

Ai Miyazato was fine moments after her third LPGA Tour title of the season. She only started to tear up when she began talking about Lorena Ochoa.

Miyazato shot a 6-under 67 on Sunday to win the Tres Marias Championship, but was overshadowed by Ochoa’s last round before stepping into retirement to raise a family and focus on her charity foundation.

During the trophy ceremony on the 18th green, Miyazato broke down crying as she thanked Ochoa. Ochoa, a few feet away, also rubbed tears from her eyes in bright sunlight on the mountainside course. Stacy Lewis (66) was a stroke back, and Michelle Wie (68) was third at 17 under.