Rory McIlroy struggles as Viktor Hovland triumphs at Memorial Tournament
Rory McIlroy had his worst round at the Memorial Tournament this week as Viktor Hovland earned his fourth PGA Tour victory.
It just wasn't Rory McIlroy's day Sunday at the Memorial Tournament.
The 34-year-old entered the final round tied for the lead at 6-under par with Si Woo Kim and David Lipsky as he looked to earn his 24th PGA Tour victory.
Instead, he had a bogey-filled 3-over 75 on Sunday and dropped all the way down into a tie for seventh.
However, it does mark his second-straight top-10 finish after he tied for seventh at the PGA Championship a few weeks ago as well.
And while things didn't go McIlroy's way on Sunday, they did for Viktor Hovland.
The 25-year-old was searching for his fourth PGA Tour win this week, and first since late 2021.
He had a close call at the PGA Championship, but ultimately finished just short of winner Brooks Koepka in a tie for second.
This time, however, Hovland came out firing on Sunday with a final-round 2-under par 70 at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
Hovland took the clubhouse lead at 7-under par as he waited for the later groups to finish.
In one of those groups was Denny McCarthy, who held the lead at 8-under par. However, a costly bogey at the par-4 18th sent the two to extra holes.
And after the 30-year-old failed to make his next par putt on the first playoff hole, Hovland tapped in his to secure the win.
With it, Hovland earned $3.6m from the designated PGA Tour event's lucrative purse, and a congratulatory handshake with 18-time major winner and tournament host Jack Nicklaus.
Hovland will have a week off before the US Open in Los Angeles, while McIlroy is set to make the trip up north for next week's RBC Canadian Open.
In addition to still seeking a 24th victory, McIlroy will also have the chance to pull off a three-peat in Toronto.
