2021 Wells Fargo Championship: Rory McIlroy Surges on Friday

Rory McIlroy has not been himself during the 2020-21 PGA Tour season. However, he’s looking to change that this week at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship.

Things didn’t start great for McIlroy on Thursday. He wasn’t able to get much going all day, recording just two birdies to go with three bogeys. That left him with a 1-over par 72, which slotted him in a tie for 73rd place.

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McIlroy knew he would need to have a decent round on Friday just to make the cut. But he was able to do much more than that.

His round did not get off to a fast start, although it was not bad. Starting on the back nine, McIlroy carded pars on the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th holes to remain at 1-over for the championship.

However, starting on the par-4 14th hole, he seemed to find something that worked. On that hole, he drove his ball way right and into the rough. After taking a drop, he had 77 yards to the green. He nearly holed his approach, leaving himself about a foot for birdie. It was a tap-in that got him to 1-under on his round.

McIlroy seemed to carry the momentum from that as he moved forward. On the par-5 15th hole, he was near the green in two and got up-and-down for a second consecutive birdie. He was 2-under for the day.

After a par on the 16th hole, McIlroy struck again on the par-3 17th hole. He hit his tee shot about seven feet from the hole and rolled in his third birdie of the round. McIlroy was 3-under for the day. He finished his first nine at 3-under par.

On his second nine, the positive momentum continued for McIlroy.

Playing the par-4 first hole, McIlroy drove it in the fairway and hit his approach to about 20 feet. He made that putt as well, moving to 4-under on his round.

McIlroy would par the second hole before another birdie, this one at the third hole. He was 5-under on his round.

The only blemish on his round came at the par-3 fourth hole. He hit the green with his tee shot but was about 40 feet from the hole. He lagged to about seven feet but missed his par putt. He slipped back to 4-over on his round.

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McIlroy would birdie the eighth hole to get back to 5-under par, which is where he would finish, shooting a 66. He’s now 4-under par for the event and in contention.

He has won here before, in 2010 and 2015. Could this be the week that McIlroy gets his first win of 2021? He has at least given himself a chance with a good round on Friday.