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Rory McIlroy posted Sunday’s lowest finals score in Masters history at 8-under 64, earning him the passing glory of being the leader in the clubhouse while the last groups were still on the court. McIlroy, who started the day 10 shots behind 54-hole leader and world no , to get in midweek 7 and put a little pressure on eventual Masters champion Scheffler.
“It’s what you dream of, isn’t it? You dream of putting yourself in position. I wasn’t quite close enough to the lead [unfortunately]’ said McIlroy, who was once again unbearably close to making the long-awaited career Grand Slam. “…To play so well today and finish like that is absolutely incredible.”
Incredibly, just moments later, McIlroy’s Round 4 playmate, Collin Morikawa, also pulled out of the bunker in 18th place to end his own Masters week in style. Morikawa’s birdie gave him a 5-under 67 that day, earning him the second-best round of the week.
As for McIlroy’s birdie, it put him in sole possession of second place on the leaderboard and gave him the only bogey-free round of the week. It was also his first non-bogey round at the Masters since November 2020 when he carded a 66 in Round 2. He finished three strokes ahead of Scheffler’s Masters winner 10-under and played his way into the $1.62 million prize in runner-up.
“This tournament is always amazing,” said McIlroy. “I’ve never been so happy on a golf course right there – just to have a chance. …I’ve never heard a roar like that on an 18th green. It was amazing.”