This would arguably be the best bogey of McIlroy’s career.
With a two-shot lead on the 18th tee, the job was almost done, but McIlroy made a huge swipe and his ball landed in the trees on the right side.
Hearts suddenly started beating again.
After what seemed like an eternity, as he tried to steer thousands of spectators toward the green away from his intended attack line, he nicked his ball out of pine straw and hit it into a bunker on the green.
This was an important moment. Another bad swing could have easily led to a double bogey and a playoff with Scheffler.
He backed it up with a strong shot from the sand to 12 feet and took both with two putts for the title.
The final stroke, by seven inches, was the length all players dream of winning the big.
There was a tremendous release of emotions. McIlroy hugged his caddy Harry Diamond, looked to the sky and raised his hands in a roar – his sixth major title cementing his place as one of the game’s greats.
