RORY McILROY CLAIMED the biggest first prize of his career by beating Anthony Kim to the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters title, but only after a final round wobble.
The 22-year-old lost a three shot lead over the American but triumphed in a play-off, earning himself a cool £1.25million in the process.
It was a poor start for the US Open champion, who bogeyed the first while seeing Kim land a birdie.
McIlroy was a shot behind after dropping another shot on the 11th but drew level with a brilliant birdie on the 15th, and parred the final three holes to finish on an 18-under 270.
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The Holywood man had only managed an even-par round of 72 to Kim’s 69, but got the best of his opponent when it mattered. Kim missed a three-foot putt on the first play-off hole and McIlroy’s two-footer for par secured the lucrative purse.
The win – which does not improve McIlroy’s world ranking position or earn him Ryder Cup points because it does not have official tour status – is the young golfer’s second of the year, and fourth in total.
Pay day: McIlroy secures lucrative prize after winning in Shanghai
RORY McILROY CLAIMED the biggest first prize of his career by beating Anthony Kim to the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters title, but only after a final round wobble.
The 22-year-old lost a three shot lead over the American but triumphed in a play-off, earning himself a cool £1.25million in the process.
It was a poor start for the US Open champion, who bogeyed the first while seeing Kim land a birdie.
McIlroy was a shot behind after dropping another shot on the 11th but drew level with a brilliant birdie on the 15th, and parred the final three holes to finish on an 18-under 270.
The Holywood man had only managed an even-par round of 72 to Kim’s 69, but got the best of his opponent when it mattered. Kim missed a three-foot putt on the first play-off hole and McIlroy’s two-footer for par secured the lucrative purse.
The win – which does not improve McIlroy’s world ranking position or earn him Ryder Cup points because it does not have official tour status – is the young golfer’s second of the year, and fourth in total.
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