Golf

Rory McIlroy ‘really proud’ of himself after Match Play triumph

‘I’m delighted, a second World Golf Championship and first win in the States this year’

Rory McIlroy tosses his ball after missing a putt on the eighth hole green during his championship match in the World Golf Championships Cadillac Match Play at TPC Harding Park. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy tosses his ball after missing a putt on the eighth hole green during his championship match in the World Golf Championships Cadillac Match Play at TPC Harding Park. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Mon May 04 2015 - 09:51

World number one Rory McIlroy became the second golfer after Tiger Woods to win the World Golf Championships Cadillac Match Play as the top seed when he took down American Gary Woodland 4 and 2 in Sunday's final.

McIlroy defeated Jason Dufner, Brandt Snedeker, Billy Horschel, Hideki Matsuyama, Paul Casey and Jim Furyk before disposing of Woodland to claim his 10th US PGA Tour win and second WGC victory.

“It’s been a great week. Match play is a format that I’ve always enjoyed. I feel it’s a format that I do well in and I excel in,” McIlroy said.

“It’s really satisfying to get that first win stateside (this year), no matter what format it is, it’s always nice to get a trophy.

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“And now we move on to next week (The Players Championship) and try to do it again.”

In control with a 4 up lead through 10 holes, McIlroy invited Woodland back into the contest by losing the 11th and 12th holes.

The American could have cut further into the Northern Irishman’s lead but missed a critical three-foot birdie putt on the 13th hole, effectively killing his chances.

A hole later Woodland three-putted the 14th green for a bogey, leaving McIlroy 3 up with four to play.

McIlroy closed it out on the 16th green when Woodland failed to make a birdie and conceded the match.

“I’m really proud of myself with how I showed a lot of character early in the tournament coming back from some deficits,” McIlroy said in an interview broadcast on Sky Sports.

“I played really solid golf. I have got on a nice little run in match play. I got a lot of confidence from the way I played against Rickie (Fowler) in the Ryder Cup last year (winning 5&4) and just followed it on through into this.

"Obviously I am delighted, a second World Golf Championship and first win in the States this year and so I could not be happier."

Earlier Sunday McIlroy had seen off Casey in a darkness-delayed quarter-final, making birdie on their first hole to win in 22 holes.

He then took out Furyk by making birdie on the 17th to tie up their match and moved into the final with a dramatic 44-foot eagle on the 18th green.

Woodland earned his place in the final with a 3 and 2 win over England's Danny Willett.

Willett finished the day on a high note by claiming the third place match 3 and 2 from Furyk. It earned him enough FedEx Cup points to take up special temporary membership on the US tour.

The 27-year-old Englishman, who is running second to McIlroy on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai, can take an unlimited number of sponsors’ exemptions on the tour for the remainder of the year and can earn a full card for the 2015-16 season should he want to take it up.