The Legend Continues

Rory McIlroy ended the summer in style by capturing his fourth major championship with a gutsy come-from-behind performance at Valhalla

Rickie Fowler has come of age in the major championships this year

Unlike Hoylake however, McIlroy’s challengers looked to not only absorb but be inspired by the world number one’s surge back into contention. Ahead, Fowler, Mickelson and Stenson continued the surge of their own to tie for the lead at 15-under before McIlroy birdied the 13th to draw level.

As the finishing line loomed fast, although ‘gloomed’ fast might be more appropriate in the rapidly fading light following a two-hour rain delay earlier in the day, all of a sudden McIlroy’s contenders faltered with bogeys to drop back to 14-under, restoring McIlroy’s slim overnight lead once again.

A birdie following a peerless approach from a fairway bunker on 17 stretched the advantage to two with a hole to play but the back nine histrionics of the year’s final and most exciting major were not over yet.

With twilight falling rapidly into darkness, McIlroy and Wiesberger in the final group were sportingly permitted to hit off the 18th tee by Mickelson and Fowler (with some help by PGA officials) while they waited in the fairway to make their final bids for victory.

"It was a classy move for those guys to do that," McIlroy said. "They could have had us standing and wait on the 18th tee while it was getting dark. It was great sportsmanship and shows the great character of those two guys, and I’m glad they did it."

McIlroy’s tee shot sailed dangerously close to the hazard on the right and may have found the water but for the soft conditions. But the drama didn’t stop there as Mickelson and Fowler were asked by official to wait again to allow the final group to play up to the green.

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