No Rory run at slam
McIlroy still ‘encouraged’ after round
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy’s third bid to complete the career Grand Slam came to its official close again on Sunday as he never mounted a run at his first Masters title.
McIlroy shot a finalround 69 and finished 3under for the tournament, never truly pushing himself into contention over the weekend.
“It wasn’t quite good enough,’’ McIlroy said. “I gave a decent account for myself and will come back next year and try again. Coming off the golf course [Saturday] I was frustrated. But after [Sunday], I’m encouraged again just from just how I felt around the course. I felt like I had a really good chance. I feel encouraged, if nothing else. I’ve had four top 10s in a row here.’’
McIlroy’s next big moment is his upcoming wedding.
“I’m excited,’’ he said. “It’s a great time in my life. It would have been nice to walk down the aisle in a Green Jacket. I’ll come back to the Players [Championship in May] refreshed and a married man and start a new chapter in my life.’’ ➤ What could be Ernie
Els’ final career round at the Masters after 23 years on Sunday was not a memorable one. One day after shooting 83, Els closed with a 78 to finish last in the tournament at 20-over. He was paired with Jeff
Knox, an Augusta member and multiple club champion, who served as a marker on the first pairing off for the day.
“I had a good day,’’ Els said. “It was nice playing with these guys and playing the tournament again and playing four rounds. The negative is just that my play was atrocious and that’s the hard part to take.’’
Asked if he’s “written off ’ ever competing at Augusta again, Els said, “No, I think there’s still obviously a chance. I’m still trying to win a Tour event to get to 20 [in his career}. And I’m 48 this year, so if I get back, great. Obviously, it’s not totally out of the picture, but if it is, it is.’’
➤ Phil Mickelson never got anything going this week, finishing 2-over par for the tournament after his 72 Sunday.
“I made a lot of mistakes this week, I didn’t play the way I wanted to,’’ Mickelson said. “I didn’t capitalize and that’s disappointing. But there’s no place I would rather be, Sunday at the Masters.’’
For the second consecutive day, Mickelson’s round was sabotaged by the short par-4 third hole, where he took double bogey again. In Mickelson’s Saturday round, he was coming off birdies on Nos. 1 and 2 to vault himself to within two shots of the lead when he doubled No. 3. Sunday, Mickelson had climbed to even par for the tournament with an eagle on No. 2 when he doubled No. 3 to wreck his round.
➤ Matt Kuchar delivered a hole-in-one on the 16th hole Sunday to vault himself into the cusp of contention for a short while.
“What a thrill,’’ Kuchar said after finishing 5-under par. “It was just kind of pandemonium on the tee box and what a thrill.’’