Maybin pipped in play-off but McIlroy bound for Augusta

GOLF: STILL A teenager, Rory McIlroy is getting to live out his boyhood dreams quicker than most. Now his tied-third finish in the South African Open yesterday, which kept him inside the world top-50, will enable him to fulfil another one when he makes a debut appearance in the US Masters at Augusta National in April.

"I'm over the moon," quipped McIlroy, who'd entered the tournament in the Western Cape on the critical break-off mark. "It's been an absolutely great year and to get to play in Augusta in my second season, making the top-50 in the world and staying there . . . this is a great way to end the year and I'm looking forward to all the things that come my way next year."

By staying in the top-50, McIlroy has earned invitations to all the majors in 2009: the Masters, the US Open at Bethpage, the British Open at Turnberry and the US PGA at Hazeltine. And he is virtually certain to get a place in the Accenture World Matchplay, which is confined to the world top-64 players in February.

But the Masters is the ticket he wanted most.

"It's going to be great to drive up Magnolia Lane, it's just going to be absolutely fantastic. I'll still be a teenager when I'm going there. As Chubby (Chandler, his manager) said, 'You just went from Madeira to Augusta'.

"There is just such a mystique about the place. I've watched so many years on television, and to actually get there to play, it's going to be great."

He added: "I've started The Race to Dubai very well. I'll still be in the top-10 in that after this week. I never thought that I would have done so much. All I wanted to do (in 2009) was get into the Volvo Masters and get in the top-100 in the world, and I've done so much more than that this year."

Another Northern Irishman, Gareth Maybin, came agonisingly close to a dream victory in his rookie season on the full European Tour when was beaten on the first play-off hole by Richard Sterne yesterday.

Sterne, who also won the Alfred Dunhill Championship last Sunday, shot a final round of 66 at Pearl Valley to finish on 14 under par.

Maybin, who closed with a two-under 70, had a chance to win on the final hole of regulation but saw his birdie putt from eight feet lip out, and when the players returned to the 18th in sudden death Sterne produced a birdie four to claim victory.

Reflecting on his birdie putt to win in regulation, Maybin said: "I just couldn't keep it straight, to be honest. I had a reasonable putt, but just lagged it a little bit.

"Obviously I just came up a little short, but all in all I'm very happy with myself and the way I held up."

South African Open

274 (-14)

Richard Sterne (Rsa) 72 69 67 66 (Sterne €158,500 won at the first play-off hole)

Gareth Maybin (N Ire)66 69 69 70 (€115,000)

275 (-13)

Rory McIlroy (N Ire)70 68 67 70

Ernie Els (Rsa) 67 67 77 64

Lee Westwood (Eng)66 68 68 73 (€53,200)