Golf:For the second week running certain quarters will question Rory McIlroy's ability to close out a tournament. A little harsh given his response to the biggest disappointment of his fledgling career was to zip across times zones and finish third at yesterday's Malaysian Open.
McIlroy, one of the hottest prospects in the game, has endured serious highs and more recently pondering lows, but all the while has taken it on the chin. His ability to provide a reality check – look this is only a golf tournament, no one has died – is commendable, yet some will say it’s part of the cover-up, a mask to disguise his inability to get over the line.
After the disappointment of Augusta, McIlroy jet-setted to Kuala Lumpur alongside the Green Jacket wearing Charl Schwartzel and minus his golf clubs, until the 11th hour. In the weather-delayed tournament he was a permanent fixture on the leaderboard all week. Halfway through the delayed third round he held a three shot lead.
However, his lead evaporated coming down the stretch, and although a birdie at the 72nd hole would have forced a play-off, the win went to Italian teenage sensation Matteo Manassero - his second tour title and he only turns 18 tomorrow. McIlroy (21) also has two tour wins under his belt, the Dubai Desert Classic and the Quail Hollow Championship on the PGA Tour.
It’s easy to make comparisons between Malaysia and what happened at Augusta, but truth is they are world’s apart in terms of significance, let alone the pressure attached.
The fact McIlroy made the 21-hour journey to compete was a wise move, if only for the €350,000 appearance fee he was reportedly paid for turning up. Not bad considering Manassero’s winning cheque was worth €288,466 and McIlroy pocketed a further €108,349 for finishing two shots back in third on 14 under.
Manassero, who became the youngest winner on tour at last year’s Castello Masters, benefits greatly from his new world ranking of 33 and secures his place at the remaining three majors of the year.
McIlroy jumps two places and up to seventh in the latest standings and will now take a well-earned break.
US Open champion Graeme McDowell traded places with Tiger Woods after moving up one place to fifth, while Pádraig Harrington dropped back four places to 38th.
American Brendan Steele, who won the Texas Open on the PGA Tour, improves 99 spots to 132nd.
Martin Kaymer is still top of the pile with the English duo of Lee Westwood and Luke Donald for company in second and third respectively.
Latest leading World Rankings:
1 Martin Kaymer 7.64
2 Lee Westwood 7.37
3 Luke Donald 7.01
4 Phil Mickelson 6.62
5 Graeme McDowell 5.93
6 Tiger Woods 5.89
7 Rory McIlroy 5.72
8 Paul Casey 5.68
9 Steve Stricker 5.47
10 Matt Kuchar 5.23
11 Charl Schwartzel 5.18
12 Dustin Johnson 5.06
13 Jim Furyk 4.94
14 Nick Watney 4.56
15 Ernie Els 4.52
16 Ian Poulter 4.27
17 Bubba Watson 4.26
18 Adam Scott 4.23
19 Francesco Molinari 4.20
20 Hunter Mahan 4.11
Other leading Europeans:
21 Robert Karlsson, 23 Martin Laird, 25 Justin Rose, 26 Alvaro Quiros, 27 Miguel Angel Jimenez, 29 Edoardo Molinari, 33 Matteo Manassero, 38 Pádraig Harrington, 42 Peter Hanson, 44 Ross Fisher, 47 Anders Hansen, 65 Thomas Bjorn, 73 Sergio Garcia, 74 Stephen Gallacher, 81 Raphael Jacquelin, 82 Simon Dyson, 85 David Horsey, 87 Rhys Davies, 88 Gregory Bourdy, 93 Henrik Stenson, 97 Brian Davis, 99 Fredrik Andersson Hed
