Rory McIlroy kisses his prize after winning the 94th PGA Championship on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina on Sunday, August 12. See how the action unfolded here.
(CNN) -- Rory McIlroy took a three-shot lead into the final 18 holes of the U.S. PGA Championship in South Carolina after moving clear of the field when he returned to complete his third round on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman, one of 26 players who had to come back early in the morning after Saturday's thunderstorms, bounced back from his second-round 75 as he carded his second five-under-par 67 of the tournament.
If he can become the first golfer to maintain a final-round lead in this year's majors, the 23-year-old world No. 3 will be younger than Tiger Woods was when he won his second in 1999 at the same tournament.
McIlroy won his first major at last year's U.S. Open after taking an eight-shot lead into the final round, but he knows the pain of falling apart after blowing a four-stroke advantage at the Masters earlier in 2011.
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"I learned a lot from The Masters and I think it will stand me in great stead this afternoon," McIlroy told reporters.
"That's definitely something that I can think back to and draw on some of those memories and some of the feelings I had at Congressional. At least being in that position before I'll know what to do again."
McIlroy, seeking to end a run of 16 different winners in the last 16 majors, went into the final round ahead of Carl Petterson.
The Swede, the pacesetter in the first two rounds, shot 72 to be on six-under 212 after 54 holes.
He was a shot ahead of Australia's Adam Scott, whose late collapse at last month's British Open handed Ernie Els his fourth major crown, 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa and American Bo van Pelt.
Scott and Immelman carded 70, while Van Pelt went round in 67.
Woods, seeking to win the tournament for the fifth time and end his four-year wait for a 15th major title, had been the overnight co-leader along with 49-year-old Fijian Vijay Singh.
The American ended his third round five shots adrift of McIlroy in a tie for sixth with Singh -- who also posted 74 -- Steve Stricker (67) and Sweden's Peter Hanson (70) on 214.
"I battled back there this morning," Woods said. "I gave myself a chance. That's what I want, to give myself a shot this afternoon."
Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington, who won the PGA in 2008, was tied for 10th on 215 in a group also including 2010 U.S Open victor Graeme McDowell.
Defending champion Keegan Bradley was tied for 16th another shot back while 2005 winner Phil Mickelson was equal 20th on 217.
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Carl Pettersson digs in during the final round.
Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh concluding their round.
The crowd goes crazy as Rory McIlroy wins.
Ian Poulter buries himself in bogeys late on Sunday.
Rory McIlroy sinking the winning putt.
Carl Pettersson of Sweden hits out of the sand on the 10th hole.
A general view of the 18th hole during the final round.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after a putt at the 18th hole.
Adam Scott of Australia lines up a putt during round three. Play in the third round resumed Sunday after it was suspended late Saturday due to bad weather.
The Ocean Course's Shingle-style clubhouse overlooks the 18th green. The course previously hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup.
Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland hits out of a bunker on the 18th hole during round three.
Tiger Woods lines up a putt during the third round.
Tim Clark of South Africa hits off the15th tee.
Trevor Immelman of South Africa and his caddy examine the green before a putt.
Woods catches a ball tossed by caddie Joe LaCava on the 14th green.
Tiger Woods hits out of the sand on the 17th hole during the third round.
Vijay Singh, who started the day near the top of the leaderboard, ponders his options before making a putt on the back nine on Sunday.
Surrounded by the gallery, Woods jumps to see his ball after his shot on the15th hole.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his drive from the 16th tee. He took a three-shot lead into the final 18 holes.
Spectators file along the course near the 16th hole to stake out a position for viewing.
Woods, who finished the third round with a 74, wipes his brow between holes.
Singh hits off the 16th tee.
Graeme McDowell blasts out of a sand bunker on Sunday.
Woods tries to reach the green from a bunker on the 17th hole.
Phil Mickelson finished the third round with a 73.
Adam Scott of Australia walks off the course under dark clouds as play is suspended due to rain on Saturday, August 11.
Tiger Woods, left, and Vijay Singh of Fiji walk off the course after the suspension of play.
Changes are made to the leaderboard during a delay in play due to weather Saturday.
Carl Pettersson of Sweden tries a putt from the edge of the green as storm clouds move in.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who goes into Sunday's play in the lead at 6 under par, hits off the sixth tee.
Woods, who dropped significantly in position Saturday, reacts after a missed putt on the fourth green.
Singh putts on the 18th green Saturday.
Bo Van Pelt of the United States hits a tee shot on the sixth hole.
Phil Mickelson tries for the green from the fairway on the 7th hole.
Aaron Baddeley has experienced peaks and valleys during this championship.
Fans watch the pairing of Graeme McDowell and Phil Mickelson on Saturday.
Jamie Donaldson of Wales hits from the seventh tee.
David Lynn of England hits out of the sand on the 18th hole.
Tiger Woods of the United States hits out of the sand on the seventh hole.
Blake Adams of the United States hits off the first tee.
Jamie Donaldson of Wales, left, and his caddie Mick Donaghy look on from the first tee.
Bill Haas of the United States hits a shot on the seventh hole during round three.
Tiger Woods of the United States hits off the first tee.
Bubba Watson of the United States prepares to hit a shot on the second hole.
Ryo Ishikawa of Japan hits off the fourth tee during round three in South Carolina on Saturday.
Bubba Watson of the United States hits off the seventh tee during Round Three.
Spectators look on as Bubba Watson putts on the first green.
Trevor Immelman of South Africa hits a tee shot during round two.
Justin Rose of England hits a shot off the first fairway during round three on Saturday.
Australia's Adam Scott putts on the 11th green during the second round of the 94th PGA Championship.
Rickie Fowler punches a ball on the 17th hole on Friday.
Hunter Mahan hits out of the sand on the 10th hole.
The wind whips the PGA flags on Friday.
Golf fans watch during the second round of the championship.
Graeme McDowell hits off the 18th tee.
Adam Scott studies the green on the 16th hole.
Phil Mickelson fans for onlookers.
A spectator watches the players from a tree.
Graeme McDowell walks with caddies.
Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on the 10th green.
England's Roger Chapman, from left, Mark Brooks of the United States and South Africa's Retief Goosen talk on the 2nd tee.
Spain's Sergio Garcia hits off the 15th tee.
Luke Donald of England hits a shot on the 2nd hole.
U.S. player Dustin Johnson hits off the 15th tee during the first round of the 94th PGA Championship on Thursday.
Martin Kaymer of Germany hits a shot from the 10th fairway on Thursday.
U.S. player Tiger Woods hits off the 15th tee.
Woods hits a shot onto the 17th green during round one.
South Africa's Rory Sabbatini hits off the 15th tee.
Woods hits out of a bunker on the 14th hole.
Australian player Greg Chalmers chips in for birdie on the fifth hole.
Martin Kaymer of Germany lines up a putt on the 11th green.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits off the 12th tee.
Woods walks toward the 10th fairway.
Kaymer hits a shot on the 11th hole.
The PGA Championship got off to a gorgeous start Thursday.
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