Rory McIlroy atop Wells Fargo after course-record, 11-under 61

ByABC News
May 16, 2015, 5:49 PM

— -- CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Rory McIlroy shot an 11-under 61 on Saturday to break the Quail Hollow record and take the lead at the Wells Fargo Championship.

McIlroy set the previous record of 62 in his 2010 victory, and Brendon de Jonge matched it last year.

Needing to birdie the final two holes for a 59, the top-ranked McIlroy closed with two pars.

"I got off to a great start, and the course was gettable out there," McIlroy told CBS after his round. "But you never think you're going to go out there and do something like that."

McIlroy started the day three shots behind co-leaders Webb Simpson and Robert Streb and had five birdies in a front-nine 31. He didn't let up on the back, birdieing six of the first seven holes.

The highlight came when McIlroy drove the green on the 345-yard, par-4 14th hole for the fourth time in his career -- more than any player in tournament history.

He is on pace to shatter the tournament record of 16 under set by Anthony Kim in 2008.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.