The roars he heard ahead of him told him otherwise.

“I’ve got to congratulate Rory,” Mickelson said. “He played some incredible golf. He’s an amazing talent. You knew he was going to come out and win out here. He is some kind of player.”

Cabrera was tied for the lead with eight holes to play until his putter failed him. The former Masters and U.S. Open champion missed five putts inside 10 feet on the back nine and shot 68.

Billy Mayfair, who had a two-shot lead going into the final round, lost the lead by hitting into the water on the par-5 seventh for a double bogey and closed with a 76.

McIlroy becomes the first player since Chris Couch at New Orleans in 2006 to make the cut on the number and win the tournament, and it all started with that eagle on Friday.

“Most important shot of the year, to be honest,” McIlroy said. “If I don’t make eagle there, I’m practicing at Ponte Vedra this weekend. I said after the 66 yesterday, ’That could have been the turning point in my season.’ I think today I’ve confirmed that.”

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Padraig Harrington of Ireland closed with a 68 and hung around for two hours to congratulate the kid when he finished. He was growing concerned for McIlroy, who was under enormous pressure since turning pro when he was 18.

McIlroy added to the hype by winning the Dubai Desert Classic last year at 19 and nearly winning the Order of Merit. He had been struggling this year with lower back problems, alarming for someone so young. He had missed two cuts going into Quail Hollow, and had not had a top 10 since the first week of February.

“At home, no matter how he does, the focus is on him,” Harrington said. “When you’re not winning, not delivering, the focus becomes a burden. If he can get across the line here, he can go from strength to strength. He will be a lot more comfortable with who he is, a lot more patient. The win is significant — very significant — at this time.”

He crossed the line at full speed.

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