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Published 13:09 10 May 2021 BST
Updated 13:22 10 May 2021 BST
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"I didn't even think I was going to tee off in this tournament, on Wednesday night. Even if I had've had a morning tee-time, on Thursday, I probably would have pulled out. "I hurt my neck on Wednesday afternoon, and couldn't make a back-swing. "Everything aligned that I was [teeing] off on Thursday afternoon. I got some treatment so that I could play, and then progressively got a little bit better as the week went on."Not only did McIlroy's physical condition improve, his game began to take off. He ground his way around Quail Hollow for an opening round of 72 before going 66, 68, 68 to win his first tournament in 554 days. On that dicey journey towards getting the bogey, on 18, that confirmed his win, the four-time Major winner paid tribute to Harry Diamond, his caddie.
"I was ready to play that with a lob wedge and Harry came in there with, 'Woah, slow down there. Let's take a step back; let's think about this. Where's the best place you're hitting your third [shot] from?' "He sort of calmed me down and slowed me down a bit. Ultimately, we made the right decision. I dropped, instead of trying to hit it out of the hazard. I got it on the green and was able to two-putt... This [win] is great, as Harry has been with me, every step of the way."There has been criticism, in recent months and years, of McIlroy choosing Diamond, a long-time friend, as his caddie. As the 32-year-old pointed out, though, they have now won six trophies as a duo. The USPGA is coming up next, down at Kiawah Island in South Carolina. McIlroy won the USPGA by eight strokes, in 2012, when it was lasr held at the course. "It's certainly great timing," he said. "This gives me a great confidence boost, heading in there."
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