Rory McIlroy defeated Shane Lowry by two strokes to capture the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, shooting 21-under overall. Justin Rose and Lucas Glover finished T-3 with scores of 18-under par. The 54-hole leader Sepp Straka finished T-7 after an even par round of 72.
Heading into the final round, the leaderboard was not short on star power. McIlroy and Lowry were one shot back of the leader Straka, who was starting the day at 15-under. Tom Kim, Cam Davis and 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am winner Rose were tied at 14-under. Sitting six shots back of the leader was Scottie Scheffler, who was making his season debut after cutting his hand making Christmas dinner.
The weekend belonged to McIlroy, though, thanks to rounds of 65 and 66. His bogey-free round of 65 on Saturday in weather that had wind gusts of 30 mph gusts and rainy conditions was an impressive display of talented shot-making.
“One thing I’m trying to get better at is trying to play more bogey-free rounds. I think just playing a little smarter, playing the right shot at the right time, not hitting destructive shots. It feels a little more boring at times, but it’s definitely more effective,” McIlroy said after his third round.
Lowry and McIlroy started one shot behind their fellow Ryder Cup teammate Straka. McIlroy was the only player in the final group to shoot under par on the front nine. The back nine is where McIlroy separated himself from the rest of the field. He birdied holes 10 and 12 to give himself a two-shot lead.
The hole that sealed the win for McIlroy was the par-5 14th hole. After his 339-yard drive, he had just 221 yards into the green. He hit a towering 7-iron draw to just under 30 feet, giving him an eagle opportunity. McIlroy drained the left-to-right putt for eagle to extend his lead. He was not done there, as he followed up his eagle with a birdie on the next hole. The last three holes of his round, McIlroy did what great ones do and finished his round with three pars and never gave his opponents a chance to catch him.
“To win at one of the cathedrals of golf is really cool,” McIlroy said after his win.
Next week the PGA Tour heads down to Arizona for the WM Phoenix Open. Last year’s champion Nick Taylor will look to defend his title and win for the second time this season.
