Mahan beats McIlory at Accenture
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2012 Accenture Match Play Championship | Wrap | 27 Feb 2012
Hunter Mahan is the WGS Accenture Match Play Champion after a 2&1 victory over the world number two Rory McIlroy at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain in Marana in Arizona.
Mahan reached this afternoon’s final by defeating Mark Wilson in the morning semi-final while McIlory made it through with a victory over the world number three Lee Westwood.
McIlory was brilliant in his morning match recovering from a three hole deficit against Westwood, playing his last 12 holes in 7 under par to win 3&1 and create the opportunity to become the world number one.
Mahan on the other hand did not have to be quite as brilliant in his 2&1 semi final win over Mark Wilson and perhaps McIlory’s effort in the morning took its toll against Mahan in the afternoon.
McIlory did well but Mahan was a lot sharper especially through the middle of his round where he won four of five holes to take a four hole advantage. McIlory fought to the end, an eagle at the 11th reducing the deficit to three and opening up the very outside chance of a late comeback.
McIlroy would also win the 14th with a birdie but in the end it was a case of too little too late and Mahan won by the 2&1 margin.
For Mahan it was his second World Golf Championship victory following his win at the WGC Bridgestone in 2010.
Mahan has played the Accenture on four occasions and had not previously gotten past the round of 16 but with victories over Zach Johnson, Y.E. Yang, Steve Stricker, Matt Kuchar and Mark Wilson before the final he has well and truly set himself of a path to the top ten in the world.
In the consolation final which carries both monetary and world ranking points signficance, Wilson held off a late comeback by Westwood to win at the last.
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