Although he admitted to struggling with the rhythm of his swing over the course of the final round, the now five-time European Tour champion gave what was generally a near-textbook example of how to play with a lead.
Reminiscent of the relationship that exists between golf fans and Augusta National, Wentworth’s holes are today familiar to millions who will never see the course in person.
Happily, this week and next, when the BMW PGA Championship is held at Wentworth, also represents at least a brief return to what used to be normal on the European Tour. Financially anyway.
One month after announcing a four-point plan – regulation, education, innovation and (reduction of) field sizes – to counter the cancer that is slow play in professional golf, the European Tour is proving as good as its word.
The four-month gap between May and September is going to have an influence on the kind of golf and the sorts of shots the perennially sizeable galleries will be treated to this week.
Rory McIlroy says his MRI confirmed no new injury to his back or ribs. However, he is experiencing a “low grade response” to the injury suffered earlier this year.