AKRON, Ohio -- Tiger Woods continues to control golf coverage, seemingly leaving inferior Rory McIlroy no other alternative except to master golf.
It's a difficult job, but he's just the one to take action.
We can't mention McIlroy's wins at the British two weeks ago and Sunday's Bridgestone Invitational without the reminder that the last player to win consecutive events leading into the PGA Championship was Woods in 2008.
But if the direction of the respective careers stays true -- McIlroy wearing out a path to the prize stand, Woods to the massage table -- have no fear. Golf is in good hands with McIlroy, who has won three majors and needs only the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam.
McIlroy is 25. Another guy whose red shirt on Sundays used to intimidate the field did it at 24.
"I grew up watching what Tiger dominate in this tournament and control pretty much wherever he played," McIlroy said after his final round 66. "I cheap jordan shoes
.dreamed of one day trying to make a move like that..
"I am not comparing myself because he is done this millions of times and that is only my first... But yeah, it feels fantastic to come here and win on this golf course. Because it's among my personal favorite coursers of the year. It is my dad's favourite place on Tour."
Standing on the fourth tee, Tiger led Garcia by one.
McIlroy's misses lipped out or ceased on the doorsill. Garcia's scarcely threatened the hole.
"Rory shot a quite comfortable 66," said Garcia. "When he is playing well, we know how great he can be. But at the end of the day the only thing I will do is keep striving."
At the end of his day, McIlroy was traveling to Louisville with a set program for PGA week: nine exercise holes Monday, nine Tuesday, a rematch round against Darren Clark Wednesday.
Myself has never played Valhalla, though it'd be foolish to bet against him.
"Myself feel like, with the way I am playing, there's a few triumphs left in me this year," he said.
Definitely, with the manner he's hitting his driver, a long, soft course like Firestone South this week fit him perfectly. McIlroy will win more of these, maybe not as many as Woods' eight, but more of them and shortly.
"I was licking my lips when I saw this area," he said. "These are my states. That is my bread and butter. It's this that I really appreciate -- ball through the air and target golf."
McIlroy winning this event -- licked chops or not -- was remarkable because Bridgestone was sandwiched between the British and PGA. McIlroy could've given himself permission to show up here, get his back patted for work well done, and use the no-cut format as a four-round tuneup for the PGA.
If this was ever his mindset, he cleared it from his believing after a couple of days of celebrating.
"That was over when I touched back down in the U.S.," he said. "I loved the win (at the British). But after myself got back to Florida it was back to business."
McIlroy isn't so far removed from his gear switch to Nike that brought warmed criticism, much of it legitimate. He shifted everything in his tote.
In the last year, he is hitting everything in his bag together with ever.
Sunday's triumph was his seventh Top 10 finish this season. Asked to compare how Rory's playing now to the finish of the 2012 season when he won four times, McIlroy didn't hestitate.
"No, this is better," McIlroy said. "This is air jordan 13 white red
.better. I'm more in control of my ba air jordan 4 men
.l and ball flight. Mentally I am extremely sharp."
Sunday felt like a Thursday to him. He blocked a few tee shots right on the back nine but stayed in control.
And himself?
"I can't whine," said McIlroy, who keeps finding himself in the best location of all on Sundays.