ALL GOOD things surely come to those who wait, and Rory McIlroy — who lost to American Hunter Mahan in the final of the WGC-Accenture Matchplay championship last night — must now wait for another opportunity, and employ the virtue of patience, in his endeavours to become the world’s number one golfer.
McIlroy (22) from Holywood in Co Down, would have become the first Irishman to hold the number one ranking if he won in Arizona. It was not to be, losing by 2 and 1 to Mahan in the final, although it will surely be a case of sooner rather than later as he seems destined to assume the top spot.
On this occasion, it proved to be a step too far for McIlroy, who collected a runners-up cheque for €630,000 which moved him to the top of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai standings for 2012 with almost €1 million in earnings. He has earned over €12 million in prize money since turning professional in 2007.
McIlroy had earlier come from three holes down in his semi-final match with England’s Lee Westwood to earn a place in the final against USA Ryder Cup player Mahan, but was three down at the turn and four down after 10 holes before mounting a comeback with a winning eagle at the 11th and a birdie at the 14th only to run out of holes.
The Ulsterman beat four opponents in the championship — South African George Coetzee, Denmark’s Anders Hansen, Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez and Westwood – to reach his first final before succumbing to Mahan.
He could assume the world number one spot as early as next Sunday, as he is competing in the Honda Classic in Florida this week.
