Top-ranked Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland claimed the WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship with a 4-and-2 victory over Gary Woodland, finishing with a 7-0 record for the week at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.
McIlroy actually finished off three players on Sunday, also beating Paul Casey of England on the 23rd hole of their quarterfinal match that was halted by darkness on Saturday, and turning back Jim Furyk, 1 up, with a 44-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole in the semifinals.
“I’m really proud of myself for showing a lot of character by coming back from deficits several times this week,” said McIlroy, who joined Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players since World War II to win 10 times on the PGA Tour by the age of 25. “I played really solid golf.
“I’ve got a nice run going in match play, starting in the Ryder Cup last year, which helped my confidence. I’m delighted to win my second World Golf Championship and win for the first time in the United States this year.”
McIlroy, who also won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last year at Firestone, didn’t provide any drama in the final after several come-from-behind victories this week. He built a 4-up lead over Woodland after eight holes, winning the sixth, seventh and eight with birdies.
Woodland came back with birdies on the 10th and 12th holes and got to within 2 down, but missed a four-foot putt for par at No. 13 that would have gotten him closer before falling back with a bogey on the next hole.
When Woodland took three shots to reach the 16th green, he conceded McIlroy’s six-foot birdie putt and it was over.
Danny Willett of England beat Furyk in the consolation match, 3 and 2, to win to earn Temporary Special Membership for the rest of this season and his PGA Tour card for next year.
