Rory McIlroy defeated a clearly ailing Tiger Woods for a second year running with a one shot victory in their Match at Mission Hills on the Blackstone course at Haikou on Hainan Island.
McIlroy posted a six under par 66 to Woods’ 67 and win for a second time after capturing last year’s inaugural Duel at Lake Jinsha also in China.
The current World No. 6 ranked McIlroy got off to a great start when he birdied the opening two holes before Woods, and competing in his first event since the Presidents Cup, responded with birdies at three and four.
It was then a roller-coaster affair for both with Mcllroy doubling the fifth hole but then birding sixth and bogeying seven to be one behind Woods at the turn after Woods had bogeyed six and eight but then managing to birdie nine and be one shot clear of his rival.
With marshals, officials and even Woods’ manager, Mark Steinberg fighting to control the crowds, McIlroy and Woods gave the locals something to really cheer about when they both eagled the par five, 12th hole.
Each then birdied 13 and with McIlroy then drawing level with a birdie at 14 before the duo then walked off the 16th with birdies.
However the World No. 1 ranked Woods, who could be heard often trying to clear his throat, then three- putted the 17th for bogey prior to the duo birding the last.
“I would like to play all my tournaments in China where I can beat Tiger,” said McIlroy.
“It’s been great to come back to this wonderful golf course where I still have such great memories from playing here two years ago in the World Cup.
“So I leave here and head back to Shanghai with my game good and there has been a lot of promising signs in practice and in my competitive play. I still have four tournaments left to the end of the season and still would love to finish 2013 strongly and get some momentum into next season.
“I’m hitting the ball well and from tee-to-green the game is very solid and if I can get the putter working, I maybe can contend and get a win or two.”
Throughout the match Woods had been asking his caddy for cough drops and was also observing wiping perspiration from his face and then at the end of his round the American could hardly raise a murmur and revealing he had contracted the virus from his daughter, Samantha.
“I don’t sound all that well now but it was nice that it was warm out there today as that certainly helped because I think my fever broke and I can start feeling a bit better,” said Woods.
“But I tell you what when you have kids they bring home some strong bugs and this one has definitely been kicking my butt for the last couple of days.
After attending a gala dinner McIlroy was aboard a 9.30pm flight and heading straight back to Shanghai and begin preparations for this week’s WGC – HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International Club.
Woods is remaining in Asia and will spend a few days relaxing at the stunning Venetian Resort on the island of Macau before then heading to Turkey and next week’s inaugural European Tour Turkish Airlines Open at Balek.
