Rory McIlroy posted his third successive round in the 60s to finish inside the top 20 at the Zozo Championship @ Sherwood on Sunday.
The tournament was won by Patrick Cantlay on 23-under, one shot clear of Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm and eight clear of McIlroy.
Four-time major winner, McIlroy, was always chasing the leaders at the California event following his disappointing start to the week, posting one-over 73 on Thursday.
However, the former world number one proceeded to play some superb golf over the weekend with consecutive 67s followed up by a six-under-par 66 to finish on Sunday.
McIlroy hit a remarkable 29 birdies this week, however, his Thursday round included four bogeys and two double-bogeys, and as a result, the Holywood native ended the tournament on 15-under.
Two birdies to start his Sunday, McIlroy then hit seven straight pars before making four birdies in a row to begin the back nine.
197 yards ➡️ 2 feet.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 25, 2020
🐦 🐦 🐦 @McIlroyRory is dialed-in. pic.twitter.com/tHLKulbXpX
Another birdie on 15 was handed back on the following hole as McIlroy finished the tournament in a share of 17th place.
Starting the day three shots off the lead, Cantlay was among several players to make the most of good conditions on the front nine, carding five birdies against one bogey to turn in four-under 36.
But as leading pair Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm – ranked third and second in the world – stagnated on the back nine, Cantlay clicked into gear with four birdies between the 11th and 15th to grab the lead.
A bogey six from Cantlay on the long 16th gave Thomas and Rahm hope, but the 28-year-old clinically parred the final two holes to complete a seven-under 65 for the win at 23-under for the tournament
"I put in a lot of work and try to do the right things all the time, so when it all does come together, it's really rewarding because it’s all that hard work paying off," Cantlay said.
Thomas played steady golf, with four birdies and one bogey amid a three-under 69, but was outstripped by Cantlay’s finishing burst.
Thomas ended tied for second with Rahm, who was well poised after five birdies through an unblemished first 11 holes before successive bogeys on 12 and 13, en route to a four-under 68.
Meanwhile, on the LPGA Tour, Stephanie Meadow posted a final round 70 to take a share of 34th place at the Drive On Championship, while Leona Maguire ended the tournament in a share of 69th place after a closing 73.
