McIlroy’s victory marks the third time he has won in his season debut on the PGA Tour. Currently ranked No. 3 in the world, McIlroy said Saturday after his bogey-free round of 65 that he’ll use this week as a jumping-off point for the thick of the season and the four major championships.

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Leave it to Rory McIlroy to make the second day of February feel as though the second week of April were right around the corner.

Toying with his opponents had come to an end. That seems an exaggeration of Rory McIlroy’s standing and prowess in professional golf, given the past few years have been noted not for what he has done so much as what almost was.