Rory McIlroy's title chances thwarted early with costly short-game error

LOS ANGELES – Rory McIlroy’s bid for a statement victory came to an abrupt end Sunday at Riviera.

Tied for the lead early in the final round, the new world No. 1 caught a flier from the left rough on the par-4 fifth hole. Instead of landing his ball on the front third of the green, his second shot from 162 yards pitched about pin high and rolled off the back of the green, into a shaved collection area.

“Obviously not the place you want to leave yourself,” he said.

It was the mistake that cost McIlroy the tournament.

With little green to work with, he tried to bump his chip shot into the hill in front of him. But he caught the chip a groove low on the clubface, and his ball expired into the hill…