Rory McIlroy outscored Tiger Woods for only the third time in 11 head-to-head clashes in China on Sunday, winning their “Duel at Jinsha Lake” with a five-under-par 67 to the American’s 68.
The world’s top two golfers met for a one-off match after competing in Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur over the weekend.
McIlroy was runner-up to Ryder Cup team-mate Peter Hanson at the BMW Masters and Woods fourth behind compatriot Nick Watney in the CIMB Classic.
Three weeks after Woods defeated the 23-year-old by six strokes during the World Golf Finals in Turkey, it was McIlroy who always held the edge this time.
He had two early birdies and turned two in front before Woods chipped in at the short 12th, but the 14-major champion bogeyed two holes later and could not get back on terms.
Neither player is staying on in the country for this week’s WGC-HSBC Champions at Mission Hills.
McIlroy, flying to Bulgaria to watch tennis girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, next plays at the Singapore Open next week, while Woods has one event left in 2012 - the World Challenge in California at the end of next month.
McIlroy said afterwards: “It was close the whole day.
“I had the better start, then Tiger started getting birdies on the back nine.
“I think it was pretty exciting for the fans and it would be great to compete more with Tiger like this - maybe down the home stretch in the majors.
“The growth of the game here has been huge even in the few years I’ve been visiting and I really hope that games like these can inspire some kids who want to play the game.
“I wouldn’t be surprised at all if one of the next great players was to come from China.
“With it being an Olympic sport (from 2016), the interest is growing more and more.”
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