Big payday for McIlroy

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October 30, 2011

Rory McIlroy triumphed in a playoff to claim the £1.25million richest first prize in golf at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday.

The 22-year-old, playing in his first event since switching management teams, beat American Anthony Kim after the latter came back from a three-shot deficit during a final-round shootout between the two, forcing the event into extra time.

Starting the day with a three-shot cushion, McIlroy bogeyed the first while Kim birdied it, resulting in a two-shot swing right from the get go and setting up an intriguing final day in the process.

Kim managed to seize a one-shot lead after the turn thanks to another bogey from McIlroy at the 11th, but the US Open champion drew level once again with a birdie at the long 15th.

The duo then parred their way to the clubhouse from there, each finishing on 18 under 270 for the tournament – McIlroy after a 72 and Kim thanks to a 69 – setting up the extra holes.

The playoff didn’t last long, however, with an error from Kim on the first hole deciding the winner almost immediately. McIlroy sank a two-footer for par, while the American could not do the same from three feet.

“The thing that will help me get over the line more is by putting myself in these positions to win golf tournaments,” said McIlroy after the win.

“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.

“This was the third play-off of my career, and I was able to win this one, so at least my record in these events is getting better,” he joked.

“But I am delighted and it gives me great confidence going into next week’s HSBC Shanghai Champions. I want to try and chase a place in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai,” he added.

South Korean Noh Seung-yul and American Hunter Mahan were five strokes back in joint third, while England’s world number two Lee Westwood bogeyed the last two holes to finish a shot behind them after he had holed-in-one at the 12th.

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