Nicklaus hails 'great theatre' of Rory's triumph
Jack Nicklaus hailed the US PGA Championship won by Rory McIlroy as great theatre after the Northern Irishman’s dramatic success in near darkness at Valhalla.
Nicklaus, winner of 18 major championships, witnessed McIlroy claim his second major title in four weeks and a third win in succession.
The 25-year-old carded a closing 68 at Valhalla to finish 16 under par, one shot ahead of Phil Mickelson.
Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson had been part of a three-way tie for the lead with Mickelson on the back nine but dropped shots on the closing stretch to finish two behind McIlroy on 14 under.
Nicklaus wrote on Twitter: “It was really a great tournament. It was great theatre. Great golf, actually.
Jack Nicklaus sends his congratulations to 2014 PGA Champion Rory McIlroy, but also to the PGA Championship,... http://t.co/84EGCM746k
— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) August 11, 2014
“It was one of the best tournaments to watch – because of such good play - that I have seen in a long, long time.
“Henrik Stenson played fantastic... Phil Mickelson was unbelievable. Just pure guts and really great golf. And Rickie Fowler was simply terrific.
“He played well all the way down the stretch, until he couldn’t see at 18. No one could.
“So let’s just discount what happened at 18, because I just thought Rickie was terrific.
“Then Rory, who got three shots down, showed so much poise, confidence and determination coming down the stretch.
“The tee shots he hit (on Sunday), wow. Early on, Rory was just playing along and couldn’t get anything going (two over after six holes).
“All of a sudden, everybody else was getting something going.
“Then Rory got the right break at the 10th hole with a great shot-he made the right break at 10 with that second shot (to set up eagle). He was off and running from there.”
