McIlroy had looked as though he was the player to beat from the second hole, when he hit a tough pitch from 50 yards away ...

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif ... He was left with a 7-iron into the green on the longest, most imposing hole on the course. His ball was the manifestation of his golf game’s physical might.

Pebble Beach looked as spectacular as ever. So did Rory McIlroy. The combination of one of golf's biggest stars and America's most scenic coastal golf course ... a 7-iron to the 571-yard hole ...

Then again, he also hit 7-iron for his second shot into the par-5 18th hole ... on their bags. Pebble Beach was one of those rare PGA Tour stops defined more by the golf course and the scenery ...

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, celebrates at Pebble Beach Golf Links after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf ...

Tom Kim punched a 7-iron from 103 yards down the ... Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, waves to the gallery on the 16th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links during the third round of the AT&T Pebble ...