SAN FRANCISCO – World No. 1 Rory McIlroy started Sunday not knowing whether he would play in the semifinals or final of the WGC-Match Play Championship. Thirty-five holes later, the Northern Irishman was holding the trophy after defeating American Gary Woodland, 4 and 2, at TPC Harding Park.
McIlroy, who turns 26 on Monday, recorded his 16th worldwide victory, including his second WGC title. He became only the second player in the 17-year history of the Match Play to prevail as the No. 1 seed. Tiger Woods accomplished the feat three times: 2003, '04 and '08.
The victory also firmly cemented McIlroy's place atop the Official World Golf Ranking after No.