Strong finish for McIlroy at USPGA

McIlroy posts under-par scores in all four rounds of the 2015 USPGA Championship

Rory McIlroy completed his fourth round under par today at the 2105 USPGA Championship. Scores of 71-71-68-69 left the Northern Irishman on 279m, nine under par for the tournament, and in 17^th place at the time of writing.

He may end the day as world No. 2 behind Jordan Spieth, but either way, McIlroy has played impressively all week in his first tournament since rupturing ankle ligaments less than two months ago.

“If I'm looking at it as a whole, I feel like I've done well to come back and shoot the scores that I have,” said McIlroy, 26, after his round. “I feel like I progressed each and every day. If I was to take back anything of this week, it would just be probably that second day when we teed off in benign conditions in the morning and I didn't take advantage of that.

“Obviously it isn't a win and I didn't get myself into contention, but considering six weeks ago I wasn't able to walk, it's not a bad effort.”

It is hard to believe, but McIlroy has claimed all week that his ankle is back to 100%, and there has been no visible sign of any discomfort at Whistling Straits, with all eyes watching and waiting for the slightest sign of a limp or a grimace. There have been none.

“I've had no discomfort with the ankle at all,” said McIlroy. “I'm still rehabbing it whenever I get back, I'm still doing exercise on it every night and every morning, getting treatment on it. But it's good.

“It's good to play golf. I have been able to get around 18 holes very easily so it's not an issue. The residual swelling that comes from activity probably won't go away for another two or three months, but it's nothing to worry about.”

McIlroy was gracious in considering he might lose his world No. 1 status to Spieth today.

“If Jordan does go to No. 1 today, it's very deservedly so,” said McIlroy. “Winning two majors, winning a couple other times this year, and he had a chance at The Open, and a chance today. If he gets to No. 1 today, I'd be the first one to congratulate him because I know the golf you have to play to get to that spot, and it has been impressive this year.”

Story courtesy of Mercedes-Benz, the Official Car of the 2015 PGA Championship.