If you’re still coming to terms with how Rory McIlroy could possibly emulate the feat of Luke Donald and win both money lists in 2012, you only need take a look at his stats on American soil this year.
The World No.1, who finished just short of $2million clear of Tiger Woods in the PGA Tour money list after chalking up four titles including the PGA Championship, ranked top of the pile in stroke average on 68.87, birdie average with 227 over 54 rounds and top-ten finishes with ten from 16 events.
McIlroy, who finished second in the all-around ranking that comprises all the vital statistics from tee to green, also led the Tour in back-nine scoring average and proximity to the pin when finding the fairway.
There is, however, plenty of room for improvement off the tee for the 23-year-old - just as there was for Tiger Woods when he was in his prime. Although McIlroy ended up fifth in driving distance, he slumped to 156th in accuracy - a field he has never yet broken the top-115 in during four years out in America.
Stroke average
1 Rory McIlroy (NI) 68.87 (54 rounds)
2 Tiger Woods (US) 68.90 (67 rounds)
3 Jim Furyk (US) 69.30 (84 rounds)
4 Jason Dufner (US) 69.46 (82 rounds)
5 Matt Kuchar (US) 69.48 (82 rounds)
Birdie average
1 Rory McIlroy (NI) 4.20 (54 rounds)
2 Webb Simpson (US) 4.11 (76 rounds)
3 Brandt Snedeker (US) 4.01 (78 rounds)
4 Tiger Woods (US) 3.97 (67 rounds)
5 Robert Garrigus (US) 3.97 (89 rounds)
Top-ten finishes
1 Rory McIlroy (NI) 10 from 16
2 Bo Van Pelt (US) 10 from 24
3 Dustin Johnson (US) 9 from 19
= Tiger Woods (US) 9 from 19
5 Matt Kuchar (US) 9 from 22
Article continues. Click here to see who was booming it off the tee this season.
