Winning the mind game a stroke of genius

WAS it a moment of everyday courtesy or a tactical calculation worthy of an experienced golfing mind twice his age?

Either way, the manner in which Rory McIlroy completed his third round at the US PGA Championship on Saturday night contrived to leave the 21-year-old Holywood golfer out of the final group yesterday at Whistling Straits and into the penultimate pairing.

Let us recap. McIlroy came down the 18th fairway on Saturday at 10 under and in a tie for second place with playing partner Dustin Johnson, four strokes behind leader Nick Watney, playing in the final group behind them.