Palm Beach Gardens, FL – Rory McIlroy became the No. 1 player in the world Sunday after he withstood a furious charge from Tiger Woods to win the Honda Classic.
McIlroy, 22, shot a one-under 69 and finished the championship at 12-under 268. That was enough for a two-shot victory, and it was a hard-earned one for the U.S. Open champion from Northern Ireland.
McIlroy had to deal with the pressure of becoming the No. 1 player, compounded by the spectacular round posted by the longest occupant of that top ranking.
Woods recorded two eagles Sunday, including one at 18, for a final-round, eight-under 62. Not only was that Woods' lowest final round in his PGA Tour career, it was also his best round on tour since the third round of the 2009 BMW Championship, which was his last tour victory.
When Woods' eight-foot eagle putt fell at the 18th Sunday, he got to 10-under par and was only one behind McIlroy. Mere moments after the Tiger roar, McIlroy drained a 10-foot birdie putt at the 13th hole to move two clear of Woods.
McIlroy held steady, saving par several times on the back nine, especially at the brutal stretch known as "The Bear Trap."
He handled the test masterfully, and can now lay claim to being the best golfer in the world.
Last week, McIlroy had his first chance to ascend to the top of the rankings, but lost the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship to Hunter Mahan.
It wasn't match-play on Sunday, but McIlroy prevailed.
Tom Gillis birdied the last to join Woods in a tie for second. Gillis shot a one-under 69 and matched Woods at 10-under 270.
Lee Westwood carded a seven-under 63 on Sunday and came in fourth at eight- under 272.
MORE TO FOLLOW.
