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Majestic Rory McIlroy romps to victory at Wells Fargo Championship

Rory McIlroy enjoying his first eagle of the day on the 10th green
Rory McIlroy enjoying his first eagle of the day on the 10th green

Rory McIlroy produced a golfing masterclass en route to securing victory at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte.

Starting the day one shot behind leader Xander Schauffele, McIlroy soon drew level with the American before romping away on the back nine to win by five shots.

McIlroy was level par after seven holes following a birdie on the opening hole and a bogey on the fourth, but then the four-time major winner gained four shots in three holes as he went birdie-birdie-eagle around the turn.

And the County Down man matched that feat from 13 to 15 as he chipped in from the sand with an exquisite shot to hole out and move six clear of Schauffele with three holes remaining.

Two pars would take McIlroy to 18 with a seven-stroke lead but he overhit his approach on the final hole to find the water and end with a double bogey to end on 17-under.

"I just went on a run that for whatever reason I'm able to go on at this golf course," McIlroy said. "Quail Hollow (and) Charlotte in general have been really good to me.

"Coming into this week, at a golf course I am comfortable with, my golf swing feels more comfortable than it has done," said McIlroy, speaking on Sky Sports after the victory.

"Going to a venue next week where I have won, it feels like the stars are aligning a little bit. But I have a lot of golf to play and a lot of great players to try to beat.

"I am going into the next major of the year feeling really good about myself."

Schauffele, who led after each of the first three rounds, held a one-shot edge on McIlroy entering Sunday. It was a two-man showdown in the last round.

"He's Rory McIlroy, you know?" Schauffele said. "He hits it 350 yards in the air downwind and he has shorter clubs into firm greens than anyone else. When he's on, he's on. Hats off to him for winning."

Seamus Power finished in a share of 16th place following a final round 70, which remarkably included a run of five straight birdies from the sixth to tenth holes, having just come off the back of three bogeys in a row.

Shane Lowry ended in a tie for 47th place following a final round 72.

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