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    Rory McIlroy Matches Lowest Final Round in Masters History with 64, Finishes 7 Under

    Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVApril 10, 2022

    Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after holing out from the bunker for a birdie during the final round at the Masters golf tournament on Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
    AP Photo/Matt Slocum

    Rory McIlroy had himself a day. A record-tying day.

    The veteran golfer came into Sunday at one over but played like a man on a mission in the final round of the Masters in Augusta, Georgia, shooting an eight-under 64 and matching the lowest final-round score in Masters history.

    GOLF on CBS ⛳ @GOLFonCBS

    WHAT A FINISH FOR RORY. <a href="https://t.co/eJWoa39iik">pic.twitter.com/eJWoa39iik</a>

    PGA TOUR Communications @PGATOURComms

    Rory McIlroy ties the lowest final-round score in Masters Tournament history with a 64.<br><br>This is the second-lowest 18-hole score in a major of McIlroy’s career and lowest since a 63 in the first round of the 2010 Open Championship.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/theMasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#theMasters</a>

    Justin Ray @JustinRayGolf

    Rory McIlroy's 64 is the only bogey-free round by anyone this week <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheMasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheMasters</a>

    Ryan Lavner @RyanLavnerGC

    What a round of 64 for Rory. That’s why he’ll make us believe, forever and always.

    Jason Sobel @JasonSobelTAN

    RORY. UNREAL.

    "It's what you dream about. You dream about getting yourself in position [to win]," McIlroy said in his post-round interview on CBS. "... To finish like this, it's just absolutely incredible."

    GOLF on CBS ⛳ @GOLFonCBS

    “That’s as happy as I’ve ever been on a golf course.” <br><br>Rory McIlroy joins <a href="https://twitter.com/Amanda_Balionis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Amanda_Balionis</a> after an unforgettable finish to his lowest round ever at the Masters. <a href="https://t.co/RFRMmwe5cS">pic.twitter.com/RFRMmwe5cS</a>

    He went into the clubhouse in second place, putting some pressure on Scottie Scheffler, though barring a meltdown from the current leader, it's unlikely McIlroy will win the event.

    Still, McIlroy flirted with all kinds of history Sunday. Once he went seven under for the day after 13 holes, a few records were within his grasp, per PGATour.com:

    • The lowest 18-hole score in Masters history (63).
    • The lowest 18-hole score in a major championship (62).

    Oh, and the chance to erase the largest final-round deficit in the history of the PGA Tour:

    Rory McIlroy Matches Lowest Final Round in Masters History with 64, Finishes 7 Under
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    PGA TOUR Communications @PGATOURComms

    Rory McIlroy began the final round of the Masters Tournament 10 strokes back of the lead and currently trails by five.<br><br>The largest final-round comeback in PGA TOUR history is 10 strokes (Paul Lawrie, 1999 Open Championship).<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/theMasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#theMasters</a>

    McIlroy couldn't quite make history. But he made himself some money, considering where he stood entering the clubhouse.

    He was a birdie machine Sunday, pulling off the feat on Nos. 1, 3, 7, 8, 10 and 18. He didn't bogey once.

    The Masters @TheMasters

    A drive and two putts. Rory McIlroy birdies No. 3. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#themasters</a> <a href="https://t.co/qeeV1EkQnt">pic.twitter.com/qeeV1EkQnt</a>

    The Masters @TheMasters

    A brilliant roll at No. 7 moves McIlroy to two under for the Tournament. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#themasters</a> <a href="https://t.co/BowR8LjYJT">pic.twitter.com/BowR8LjYJT</a>

    The Masters @TheMasters

    Rory McIlroy is making his move. He is four under par today and tied for third place. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#themasters</a> <a href="https://t.co/DWXrJxsA5A">pic.twitter.com/DWXrJxsA5A</a>

    The Masters @TheMasters

    Rory's run up the leader board continues with a birdie at No. 10. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#themasters</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZsUNfnyyJ8">pic.twitter.com/ZsUNfnyyJ8</a>

    He also notched an eagle on No. 13, suddenly narrowing what felt like an impossible gap between him and Scheffler.

    ESPN @espn

    An EAGLE for Rory McIlroy on No. 13 🦅<br><br>What a run! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#themasters</a> <a href="https://t.co/C5CKQdNi1t">pic.twitter.com/C5CKQdNi1t</a>

    McIlroy will probably lament some of his struggles in the earlier rounds, which might be the difference between him and his first-ever green jacket. But he gave Augusta a Sunday for the ages regardless of where he finishes.

    Even if McIlroy doesn't finally complete his career Grand Slam, it's hard to imagine he'll look back on this round with anything but fondness.