McIlroy's Comeback Victory at The CJ Cup "Reached 20 Career Wins~"... Im Sung-jae "Finishes Tied for 9th"

Final Day of 4th Round in 2021/2022 Season: 6 Under Par '2.1 Billion Won Jackpot', Morikawa 2nd, Fowler and Mitchell Tied 3rd

Rory McIlroy is cheering while holding the trophy immediately after winning the CJ Cup. Las Vegas, USA = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "I got my 20th win."

Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) secured his first victory of the new season. On the 18th (Korean time), at The Summit Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (par 72, 7,431 yards), he shot 6-under par on the final day of the PGA Tour 2021/2022 season's 4th event, The CJ Cup (total prize money $9.75 million), clinching a one-stroke victory (25-under par 263). This marks his 20th career win, coming five months after the Wells Fargo Championship in May, with a winner's prize of $1,755,000 (approximately 2.08 billion KRW).

McIlroy had been in a slump since the World Golf Championships (WGC) HSBC Champions in November 2019 but began his comeback mode at the Wells Fargo Championship after a year and a half. He missed the cut at The Players Championship in March, known as the 'fifth major,' and failed to complete the 'Career Grand Slam' by winning all four different major championships after the Masters in April, which was a significant blow. He expressed regret, saying, "I tried to increase my driving distance following Bryson DeChambeau, but my shots got messed up."

This is why McIlroy quickly hired Pete Cowen (England) as his new swing coach and started correcting his swing. Fortunately, his old power returned at the Wells Fargo. On the final day, he notably hit a long drive up to 372 yards and boasted a green hit rate of 77.78% with pinpoint iron shots. It's interesting that Wells Fargo has been a 'winning ground' for him, where he earned his first PGA Tour win in 2010 (Quail Hollow Championship) and his second win in 2015. He earned the nickname 'Man of Wells Fargo.'

Rory McIlroy is cheering after making a birdie on the 2nd hole of the final day at the CJ Cup. Las Vegas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Getty Images

Starting the day two strokes behind in second place, he recorded one eagle, five birdies, and one bogey. He opened the scoring early with consecutive birdies on holes 2 and 3, and recovered from a three-putt bogey on hole 4 (par 4) with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 6 and 8. Birdies on the back nine at hole 12 (par 4) and especially an eagle on hole 14 (par 5) stood out. From 10 meters off the green, he picked up the putter and holed it directly. On the final hole 18 (par 5), where he took the one-stroke lead, he safely maintained par by laying up on his second shot. McIlroy cheered, "I'm so proud to have reached the 20-win milestone."

Collin Morikawa shot a daily best 10-under par to rise to second place (24-under par 264), while the previous day's leader Ricky Fowler faltered with 1-under par, dropping to a tie for third place (22-under par 266). Fowler, who entered as an invitee, reached the brink of victory for the first time in 2 years and 8 months since the Phoenix Open in February 2019 but lacked finishing with four birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. Keith Mitchell (both from the USA) joined the tie for third place.

From Korea, 'Shriners Champ' Im Sung-jae (23) surged to a tie for ninth place (20-under par 268) with a strong finish of 8-under par. He recorded one eagle and seven birdies (one bogey). Lee Kyung-hoon (30) tied for 25th (17-under par 271), Kang Sung-hoon (34) and Kim Sung-hyun (23, Bizplay) tied for 32nd (16-under par 272), Kim Joo-hyung (19) tied for 49th (13-under par 275), Kim Min-kyu (20) tied for 57th (11-under par 277), An Byeong-hoon (30) tied for 59th (10-under par 278), Shin Sang-hoon (23) tied for 64th (8-under par 280), Lee Jae-kyung (22) tied for 68th (7-under par 281), and Seo Yo-seop (25) tied for 72nd (6-under par 282).