Watch CBS News

Mcllory Handily Wins Honda Classic

PALM BEACH GARDENS (CBSMiami/AP) - Even though Tiger Woods gave him a bit of a challenge in the end, but Rory McIlroy won the Honda Classic with a performance worthy of the new No. 1 player in golf.

Right when it looked as though McIlroy had no serious challenge Sunday, Woods had a birdie-eagle finish to shoot 62 and get within one shot of the lead.

McIlroy answered with a birdie, and then made three clutch par saves during a daunting stretch at PGA National. He closed with a 1-under 69 for the victory he needed to move to No. 1 in the world.

He is the 16th player to be atop the world ranking, and at age 22, the second-youngest No. 1 player behind Woods.

Woods had his lowest final round ever and finished two behind, along with Tom Gillis (69).

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.