Breakthrough win for Fowler

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Young American Rickie Fowler finally secured his maiden professional win at the Korea Open on Sunday.

Young American Rickie Fowler finally secured his maiden professional win at the Korea Open on Sunday.

The 22-year-old secured a commanding four-shot win over Rory McIlroy in this OneAsia Tour event, as he carded a final-round three-under-par 68 at Woo Jeong Hills to finish on 16 under par for the tounament and put it beyond doubt.

Fowler, the 2010 PGA Tour rookie of the year, effectively sealed the deal on Saturday with a scintillating 63 that left him six shots clear and Rory McIlroy with too much to do on the final day.

“It was a lot of fun,” Fowler said. “I played well early on in the final round and then I was comfortable over the last few holes. Overall, I enjoyed the whole week.

“It feels great to have the first win. I played well all week, although I did have to hang in on Friday and post a score. But on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, I had good control of my ball, I drove well and I made some putts.

“I’m happy with the way I have played on the PGA Tour, but I have never shot low enough to win. This week I played well for four rounds which I have not been able to do that in the past.

“I will play mainly on the PGA Tour next year and I would like to get my first win there, and this win will defiantly help me achieve that. I also haven’t made the Tour Championship in the last two years, so that is another goal for next year. But the biggest goal is to make sure I make the Ryder Cup team.”

McIlroy finished with a well-played 64, but it was never going to be enough.

“It was a nice way to finish, but all the damage was done during the third round with a couple of bad holes in the middle of the round,” he said.

“Looking back on this week, I will rue my third round, which could have been a lot better. If I had played a little better and shot a few under I might have had a chance, but Rickie has played fantastic this week and he deserves the win.”

South Korea’s Kim Meen-whee (71) was third, and countryman Y.E. Yang (75) followed in fourth place.

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