Rory McIlroy boosted hopes of finishing the year as Europe’s top golfer sensationally holing a bunker shot for birdie at the last in capturing the UBS Hong Kong Open.

The reigning U.S. Open champion, who has been runner-up in Hong Kong twice before, came from

Rory McIlroy with the gleaming UBS Hong Kong Open trophy. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

strokes behind heading to the final round to win by two strokes with a five under par 65 for a 12-under par tally.

Frenchman Gregory Havret recorded his best finish of the season in carding a last round 65 for second place on 10-under par.

World No. 2 McIlroy needed to win or finish second in Hong Kong to have any chance of denying Luke Donald a historic first ever European and PGA Number One title in the same season.

However the 22-year old McIlroy, who captured only his fourth pro career victory, will also need to finish top two and ahead of Donald in next week’s Dubai World Championship to deny Donald both money list titles.

McIlroy commenced the final round three strokes from the lead but in learning World No. 3 Lee Westwood had recorded a 62 to move seven shots clear of the field on day three of the Nedbank Challenge, McIlroy found the motivation to capture a fourth pro career win.

“When I woke up this morning and saw that Lee Westwood shot 62 in Sun City, I thought I really needed to win to stay above him in the World Rankings, and that was a little bit of motivation for me,” said McIlroy.

“But after two place finishes here in Hong Kong, if feels like this win has been a long time coming to be honest.

“It’s just fantastic.  I’ve loved this city.  I’ve loved this golf course.  I played my first Hong Kong Open in 2007.

“I felt like it owed me something after losing the play-off in 2008.

“I had to wait a few years for it to finally happy but to get my hands on this trophy and to win this tournament is very special.”

There was also the motivation for McIlroy of keeping alive his chances of capturing the Race to Dubai title.

McIlroy’s first prize cheque of Euro 341,723 has seen him move from third and into second place on the Race to Dubai money list and Euro 789,789 behind Donald.

However for McIlroy to deny Donald a first-ever the No. 1 title on both the European Tour and PGA Tour’s in the same season, he will need to win this week’s season-ending Dubai World Championship and for Donald to finish outside the top-20 in the elite 60-player field.

“That was one of my goals going out today was to win this tournament to keep myself in with a shout next week,” he said.

“It’s still very dependent on what Luke does because he’s got such a big lead but if can somehow get myself into contention next week, you never know.”

McIlroy managed five birdies over the last day but none better than the last after his wedge second shot found the bunker in front of the green.