Rory Stands Alone

- If there was any doubt as to who the best player in the world is, Rory McIlroy put an end to that doubt. Rory's course record 61 shot on Saturday was as brilliant a round of golf as has been played this season, and Sunday was nothing more than a victory lap for the World Number One. Rory is peeking, again, right before the US Open. Remember when we were asking if the Rory Era was over? That seems like lightyears ago.

- The feel good story of the week might be Patrick Rodgers, who cashed in on his last sponsors exemption to get within inches of a PGA Tour card. Rodgers will have plenty of opportunities to play over the next several weeks, including Colonial and Memorial, so if he's able to have one more good week, he will wrap up special temporary membership for the year and a PGA Tour card for 2016. The future of golf is looking brighter and brighter every week.

- Lefty done? Not quite yet. Phil Mickelson showed the world something this week with his T4 finish at Quail Hollow. To be completely fair, Quail Hollow is a course where Phil has had plenty of success in the past, so it should be no surprise to see him play well here again. That being said, that's two top 10's this season after only one in all of 2014. There is life still left in the Hall of Famer, and Chambers Bay is right around the corner.

- Every time I'm ready to throw dirt on Geoff Ogilvy's career, he seems to come back when least expected. After failing to do very little all season, Ogilvy finished T7 at Quail Hollow. The days of Ogilvy being one of the top players on Tour are over, but the former US Open champion can still contend from time to time, and another trophy may be in his future.

- Did I mention that this year's rookie class on the LPGA Tour is really good? This time it's Minjee Lee who gets a victory on the LPGA Tour after an excellent final round 65 put her over the edge. Lee was expected to be a contender for Rookie Of The Year honors, but has had a less than spectacular season, at least compared to her fellow rookies. Lee has a great amateur background and victories are expected for her, so perhaps this was her coming out party on the LPGA Tour.

- Another week, another opportunity for So Yeon Ryu that went by the wayside. To be fair, Minjee Lee didn't give her much to work with, but there were still plenty of opportunities for Ryu to make birdies that she was unable to convert. Still, it was a good week for Ryu, who has not had a very good season this year. Normally I walk away with negatives whenever Ryu contends but does not win, but I am feeling more optimistic this time around.

- Alison Lee was unable to close out the tournament, but to her credit, she didn't completely shoot herself out of it. On the contrary, she shot a final round 69 when all the pressure was on her to pick up her first victory. These experiences do a lot to build a player into a contender, and this was Alison's first opportunity. The next time she gets into this position, she will be better prepared to handle the pressure. 

- Rod Pampling looks to be well on his way to retaining his PGA Tour card. The 45 year old former champion has been playing out of past champions status for the past several years, but a top 10 in Puerto Rico and a win this week on the Web.com Tour had Pampling in the driver seat for a return to the Tour. Pampling's strong finish in Australia at the beginning of 2015 has him exempt into the Open Championship, and he currently sits 8th on the Web.com Tour money list. Great playing, Rod!