Wonder boy McIlroy wins in Hong Kong

HONG KONG - The Associated Press

Rory McIlroy says the win in Hong Kong was ‘very special’ to him. REUTERS photo

Rory McIlroy rallied to win the Hong Kong Open, holing out from a greenside bunker on the final hole yesterday for a 5-under 65 and a two-stroke victory.

The 22-year-old U.S. Open winner from Northern Ireland, three strokes behind Alvaro Quiros entering the final round at Hong Kong Country Club, finished at 12-under 268 on the Fanling Course. He had five birdies in his bogey-free round.

“It is very special to win this. No matter how prestigious tournaments are, this is one of my favourites and I’m really happy to win it,” he said. “To be able to win a golf tournament when you are not at your best is something. Tiger Woods did this all the time. This is a great win, to come from behind and to be able to draw level and then close it out.” France’s Gregory Havret also closed with a 65 to finish second.

Sweden’s Peter Hanson had a 70 to finish third at 9 under. England’s Ian Poulter, the 2010 winner, shot a 66 to tie for fourth at 8 under with Scotland’s Richie Ramsay (66) and Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul (70).

“It’s disappointing obviously. I came to defend and I’ve come up shy. I thought I had a chance when I got to 9 under, but I just flushed it on the 15th. It was a costly bogey at the wrong time,” Poulter said.
Quiros, from Spain, had a 73 to tie for seventh at 7 under.

John Daly closed with a 69 to tie for 21st at 2 under in the tournament sanctioned by the European and Asian tours.