Rory McIlroy (Image Source: Getty)
Rory McIlroy won his maiden PGA Tour event at the 2010 Quail Hollow Championship at the age of 20. The Northern Irish golfer, who started playing professionally in 2007, had a historic win at the Quail Hollow Championship.
He registered a four-stroke victory over Phil Mickelson to win his maiden PGA Tour event and became the youngest golfer since Tiger Woods to win on the PGA Tour. Following the tournament during the press conference, Rory McIlroy said (via ASAP Sports):
“I absolutely flushed it on the range and knew that — I’ve been playing well coming in here and just not getting a lot out of it. I went out there today.”
He further reflected on his performance, saying:
“I was excited to go out there and play, and with the way I played yesterday I knew I would give it a good shot. I knew I was playing well. I just went out there today and had no number in mind. I thought 10 was going to be a realistic target. But to go out there and — especially getting to 5-under par for the round after 11, I was in a pretty good position then, and then to finish the round off like I did under that sort of pressure was very satisfying.”
Rory McIlroy started the game at the Quail Hollow Championship in 2010 with a rough round of 72. He had a tough time in the first two rounds but was impressive in the final two rounds, carding 66 and 62 to clinch his maiden PGA Tour event.
Rory McIlroy has an impressive record at the Quail Hollow Championship, which is now known as the Wells Fargo Championship. He won the tournament four times in his career, with the latest win coming in 2024.
In 2015, McIlroy registered a seven-shot win over Patrick Rodgers and Webb Simpson and in 2021, he won it by one stroke over Abraham Ancer. In 2024, he registered a four-shot win over Xander Schauffele.
“He played some incredible golf” – When Phil Mickelson lauded Rory McIlroy for winning the Quail Hollow Championship 2010
McIlroy registered a four-stroke win over Phil Mickelson at the 2010 Quail Hollow Championship. Following the event, the American golfer praised McIlroy for his amazing performance.
He said in 2010 (via ESPN):
“I’ve got to congratulate Rory. He played some incredible golf. He’s an amazing talent. You knew he was going to come out and win out here. He is some kind of player.”
Mickelson had a decent start at the tournament that year. He played a round of 70 and then 68 in the second round. However, he had a tough time in the third round, scoring 71, followed by a final round of 68. He settled for second place, followed by Ángel Cabrera.
Meanwhile, over the years, McIlroy has had a remarkable run on the PGA Tour, winning 26 tournaments on the circuit.