Closing Eagle Lifts Rory McIlroy to WGC Match Play Win

Closing Eagle Lifts Rory McIlroy to WGC Match Play Win
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot on the 12th hole during day two of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club in Austin, Texas, on March 23, 2023. Harry How/Getty Images
Field Level Media
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Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy eagled the 18th hole to earn a 2–up win over Denny McCarthy in the second round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play on Thursday, March 23, in Austin, Texas.

With the Group 3 match all square through 17 holes at Austin Country Club, McIlroy bashed a drive onto the green on the par-4, 375-yard closing hole, leaving himself a 4-foot eagle putt. McCarthy couldn’t keep up, as his 59-yard approach shot landed 7 feet from the hole, giving him a birdie that wasn’t enough.