Golf News - Shanghai Masters - Rory McIlroy scoops the richest prize in golf
Last updated 11/7/2011 9:32:03 AM
Golf News - Shanghai Masters - Rory McIlroy scoops the richest prize in golf
The Shanghai Masters tournament may not be sanctioned by any tour and gives the winner no ranking points at all – but US Open Champion Rory McIlroy is not complaining.
Why should he when he trousered a staggering £1.24 million for beating the American Anthony Kim in a play off.
Playing his first event since finishing as runner-up in the Dunhill Links Championships, the 22 year old Irishman threw away a three shot lead and then came from behind over the last nine to force his fourth play off.
While McIlroy took over £1m, Kim won £465,000 ($750,000), not bad for a tournament at which golf turns its nose up. Thirty players took part in the invitational, first-year tournament with American Hunter Mahan and South Korea's Noh Seung-yul finished equal third at 13-under.
England's world number two Lee Westwood hit a hole in one on the 12th hole and seven birdies for a 67, finishing in fifth place at 12-under. It was the best round of the week for Westwood, despite the fact he ended with two bogeys.
There were echoes of McIlroy's remarkable collapse at the Masters earlier this year when he surrendered a four-shot lead in the final round at Augusta on his way to an 80.
Did you know?
The Northern Irishman, playing his first event since ditching his agent Chubby Chandler, resumed the final day three clear, but had a bogey to Kim's birdie on the first and, when he dropped another shot at the 11th, he suddenly trailed by one.
McIlroy drew level with a birdie at the 15th, however, and with pars at the final three holes they tied on the 18-under-par mark of 270, McIlroy going round in a level-par 72 to Kim's 69.
At the first extra hole Kim missed a three-foot putt and McIlroy's two-footer for par gave him the title.
"I've been close in two or three tournaments and had two thirds and two seconds and was finally able to get myself over the line today," said McIlroy.
"This was the fourth play-off of my career, and I was able to win this one, so at least my record in these events is getting better.
"I am just delighted to get another win."
It was the young Irishman's fourth victory as a professional and his second of the year after his win at the US Open in June.