Rory McIlroy in record Wells Fargo win

The World No 1 sets tournament records for most birdies, the lowest score, best round and largest margin of victory

Rory McIlroy in record Wells Fargo win

After a record-breaking third round, Rory McIlroy progressed comfortably to victory on the final day. A fourth round three-under-par 69 left him seven strokes clear of the field.

He set tournament records for most birdies (27), the lowest score to par (-21), the best 18-hole score (61) and the largest margin of victory.

Rory set up his victory in the third round. On ‘moving day’ he moved all right.

He started the day three shots behind the leader, and ended it four shots clear of the field after carding a 61.

This broke his own course record at Quail Hollow, which he had set in 2010, and is his new career lowest round. It is only two shots off the best ever-round in a PGA event.

Seven players have made a 59 on the PGA Tour, most recently Jim Furyk in 2013.

"I was thinking about 59 from the 14th tee box," said McIlroy. "I feel like it's one of these courses I can get on a roll with."

But two pars on the final two holes left his short of a joint share of the record.

Quail Hollow was the venue of McIlroy’s first win on the PGA Tour, in 2010 when he ended four clear of the field with that closing-round 62.

“The course sets up perfectly for me. With my length and the way I think I am driving it, it’s a big advantage round here and it showed this week,” he said after his victory.

McIlroy can only be pleased that the USPGA Championship will be at this venue in 2017.

Quail Hollow member Simpson carded a final round 72 to tie with Tour rookie Patrick Rodgers in second place.

After starting the day tied for fourth Rodgers was at 7-under through 16 holes in the final round but closed with a double bogey and a bogey.

Wells Fargo Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina May 14-17 Purse: $7,100,000, par 72

1 Rory McIlroy 70 67 61 69 267 T2 Patrick Rodgers 68 68 70 68 274 T2 Webb Simpson 67 67 68 72 274 T4 Gary Woodland 70 71 68 67 276 T4 Phil Mickelson 71 66 71 68 276 T4 Robert Streb 65 69 71 71 276 T7 Geoff Ogilvy 69 69 71 68 277 T7 Justin Thomas 69 73 65 70 277 T9 Kevin Streelman 69 71 70 68 278 T9 Shawn Stefani 69 70 70 69 278 T9 Jason Bohn 72 68 69 69 278 T9 Brendan Steele 69 69 68 72 278

Players in bold denotes Titleist ball usage