Rory McIlroy Finishes 5-Under Par After Final Round at 2017 British Open

Rory McIlroy finished five under after the final round of the 2017 British Open on Sunday. He shot a three-under 67 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, Merseyside.

McIlroy got as close as three shots off the lead but paid for losing his first ball at the 15th. He made birdie with a provisional ball, but the total cost was a bogey that ultimately doomed his chances.

A par finish on the 18th meant McIlroy also missed the chance to tie clubhouse leader Haotong Li at six under, though Jordan Spieth and Matt Kuchar were both still on the course and two strokes ahead of Li.

In the first eight holes, McIlroy couldn't record a birdie, parring each hole. While Spieth faltered early on, McIlroy needed a few birdies to give himself a realistic chance, but he couldn't get going.

With little chance of his clawing into the lead, as well as the rather bland run of pars, observers such as BBC 5 live Sport's John Inverdale were reduced to commenting on McIlroy's attire, rather than his golf:

In fairness, McIlroy's card was lacking a wow factor. However, the boost he needed appeared to come when he played his second shot on the par-four ninth superbly, delicately lifting a peach of a stroke onto the green.

It helped him birdie the hole and finish the front nine in style to move five shots off the lead.

Shane Bacon of Fox Sports called on McIlroy and others to thrive over the last nine holes and make it interesting for the leaders:

McIlroy started the back nine with another par, but only after narrowly missing a birdie putt from the edge of the green. It was the kind of missed opportunity all too common for the 28-year-old at this Open.

He looked to rebound when he set himself up for a birdie on the par-four 11th with a lovely second shot to the pin. McIlroy duly sank the birdie putt to add some momentum to his gathering charge.

McIlroy was on the move, and ESPN.com's Jason Sobel detailed his turnaround:

He was now four under and five back from the lead, prompting this observation from Joe Prince-Wright of NBC Sports:

The putter let him down, however, as McIlroy missed a birdie putt on 12 and 14. With three straight pars, he lost momentum. 

McIlroy's chance of putting real pressure on those at the top was gone when he lost his first ball after teeing off deep into the rough on the par-five 15th. He was in the bunker after his fourth shot and facing a first bogey of the day.

A cute chip from the bunker meant he got away with finishing the hole in six shots, but the damage was done. 

Par followed on the 16th, before an eagle on the 17th left him on five under par, but it seemed too little, too late. Even so, the PGA Tour Twitter feed felt McIlroy had regained his chance:

His ensuing tee shot went into the rough, and from there he ended up in the bunker. He couldn't chip in for a birdie but made a solid finish with par.

It was always likely to be a tricky day for McIlroy, who was a long shot to win at the start of the round. The one thing he could do for certain was finish strong and show the golf world he is getting back on form after his struggles at the U.S., Scottish and Irish Opens.

With a five-under finish, McIlroy did just that and reminded everyone he's a strong contender for the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in August.

All scorecard information per the tournament's official website.