PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Pebble Beach Golf Links looked as spectacular as ever. So did Rory McIlroy.
The combination of one of golf’s biggest stars and America’s most scenic coastal course was the just the spark the PGA Tour needed in what had felt like a slow start to the season, and both lived up to their reputations Sunday in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
McIlroy was in complete control of his shots, leading to two key birdies when he made the turn against a pack of contenders. And then he delivered a haymaker, blasting his drive over a tree down the 14th fairway, leaving him only a 7-iron to the 571-yard hole to set up an eagle.
“We both hit 7 there,” Sepp Straka said. “His was 7-iron, mine was 7-wood.”
Four holes later, all that was left was a soothing stroll down the 18th fairway, enough sunshine to turn the surf turquoise, enough of a cushion to have no stress. The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland finished with a par for a 6-under 66 and a two-shot victory over pal Shane Lowry of Ireland.