KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – Rory McIlroy’s news conference was going long – shocker, we know – and so Justin Thomas, waiting on deck, posted up at the back of interview tent to listen in.
McIlroy’s final question was asked over Zoom. It was about the 2012 PGA Championship, and how significant of a moment that was in McIlroy’s young career to earn a second major. After eyeing Thomas in the back, McIlroy sensed an opportunity and executed, with surgical precision, what might become his best shot of the week.
“Yeah, it was huge,” he said, leaning into the second part of his answer, his eyes focused on Thomas.