Sam Burns is match play master, Rory McIlroy returns to form – 5 things we learned from WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play

A magnificent seven for brilliant Burns

Sam Burns captured his fifth PGA Tour title with a dominant 6&5 victory over fellow American Cameron Young including eight birdies in 10 holes in what proved to be a fitting finale to a brilliant week of match play golf.

In his first appearance in the event, Burns had already accounted for Seamus Power, Adam Scott and Adam Hadwin in the group stages before beating Patrick Cantlay in the Round of 16 (2&1), Mackenzie Hughes in the quarter-final (3&2) and good friend Scottie Scheffler in the final four (21st hole).

That victory over the World No. 1, and defending champion, on Sunday morning was perhaps the most significant with the 26-year-old having battled back from being 2-down with just six holes to play before eventually edging the match with a birdie on the third extra hole.

Those magnificent seven victories at the Austin Country Club in Texas also netted him the bumper US$3.5m first prize offered by the latest ‘designated’ event of the season.

Burns spared particular praise for his caddie Travis Perkins after a gruelling few days.

“This week is as mentally exhausting as it is physically,” Burns said. “I think after 10 holes this morning, my caddie, Travis, kind of gave me a good kick in the butt and said, ‘Come on man, let’s go, you got this.’ And I really needed it at the time…Man, he was rock solid all week, I couldn’t have done it without him.”

Match play format must return

This was the last staging of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play with the event set to be dropped from the calendar next year.

Concerns about the format, that does not guarantee the appearance of the sport’s biggest names in front of the TV cameras come crunch time, the evolution of the overall schedule and the introduction of the ‘designated’ events are understood to have been a factor in that decision but there is hope that match play may return in the future.

“For next season’s schedule, it didn’t work,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan explained during The Players Championship earlier this month. “But match play has been a staple out here. It’s been a staple of the DP World Tour. That will certainly be a consideration as we go forward.”

The presence of crowd favourites Scheffler and McIlroy throughout the battle for this year’s title certainly helped the profile of the event and the sport’s biggest names are certainly in favour of the schedule offering a different kind of challenge.

“I love match play, I like the simplicity of it,” said Scheffler on the eve of the tournament.

His sentiments were also echoed by Jon Rahm, who said, “It’s really the only time throughout the year besides the Ryder Cup where we are truly playing against the person in front of you…that is much more relatable to every sport we play in the world.”

Rory has returned to form on eve of Masters

Fans of Rory McIlroy will no doubt have been buoyed by the Northern Irishman’s third-place finish – sealed with a 2&1 victory over World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in the consolation match.

McIlroy was not at his brilliant best – although he certainly showed glimpses including an epic drive during his clash with Denny McCarthy during the group stages.

He certainly appears to be tracking well as he gears up for his latest attempt to complete the career grand slam at Augusta.

“I feel a lot better about things compared to this time a couple of weeks ago, after The Players Championship,” commented McIlroy, having missed the cut at the TOUR’s flagship event earlier this month.“

In the wake of that disappointing showing at TPC Sawgrass, McIlroy switched driver shafts and returned to the putter he used to win his first two majors.

Those changes certainly seem to have had the desired effect with reports also detailing that he only needed 19 putts during a recent practice round at the traditionally treacherous Augusta National layout.

“I don’t think there is tons to do,” he added following his victory over Scheffler. “I think my game is in really good shape so just keep it ticking over, work on the shots I need for Augusta and away we go.”

Golf ball battle looms?

The battle for the future of the sport between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has dominated the headlines for many months now but another potential division threatens to divide the sport.

Those proposals were swiftly questioned by the likes of leading PGA Tour pro Justin Thomas (“It’s so bad for the game of golf”) and World No. 3 Jon Rahm (“Why change what’s working?”).

However, in contrast, Rory McIlroy has backed the move and specifically the focus on the elite game.

“But for elite-level play, I really like it. I really do. I know that’s a really unpopular opinion amongst my peers, but I think it’s going to help identify who the best players are a bit easier. Especially in this era of parity that we’ve been living in these past couple of decades.”

Pros need a little luck too sometimes

Cameron Young certainly rode his luck on his way to the title decider on Sunday.

Young reached the par-3 11th hole of his quarter-final clash with Kurt Kitayama in control of the contest but under pressure to match his rival’s superb tee shot that had landed within 10ft.

It certainly seemed Kitayama’s effort would be enough to win the hole when Young’s own tee shot sailed into the bank to the left of the green but the ball escaped the worst of the rough and then began to roll down the bank.

It would eventually come to rest just inches from the hole and agonisingly close to the unlikeliest of holes-in-one. Thankfully, Kitayama also made his birdie putt to halve the hole.

Young later admitted his best shot of the day was his worst shot of the day. “Yeah, it was just awful,” Young admitted post-round, “so I really got away with one there.”