WITH DARKNESS SETTING IN AT VALHALLA GOLF CLUB, IT WAS RORY MCILORY LEFT HOLDING THE WANAMAKER TROPHY WHEN IT WAS ALL SAID AND DONE. THE IRISHMAN FIRED A FINAL ROUND 3 UNDER 68 TO FINISH AT 16 UNDER PAR, EDGING PHIL MICKELSON BY ONE SHOT FOR THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP.
FOR MICKELSON ITS THE 9TH TIME HES BEEN LEFT STANDING AT THE ALTER IN A MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP. A CONSOLATION PRIZE FOR LEFTY, WILL BE A RECORD 10TH STRAIGHT RYDER CUP TEAM, THANKS TO HIS RUNNER UP FINISH.
OTHER NOTABLES, RICKIE FOWLER BECOMES THE FIRST PLAYER IN HISTORY TO FINISH IN THE TOP FIVE AT ALL FOUR MAJORS WITHOUT WINNING ONE. HE CLOSED WITH A 68 AND TIED FOR THIRD WITH HENRIK STENSON AT 14 UNDER PAR.
FOR THE WINNER, MCILROY IS ONLY THE FOURTH PLAYER IN THE LAST CENTURY, TO WIN FOUR MAJORS AT 25 OR YOUNGER. THE OTHERS? TIGER WOODS, JACK NICKLAUS AND BOBBY JONES. …PRETTY ELITE COMPANY.