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US Open champion Rory McIlroy held his nerve in the closing stages to edge out American Anthony Kim in a sudden death playoff and pocket the $2 million winner's cheque at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman, who led by three strokes overnight, fell behind on the 11th hole but rallied to force Kim into a playoff with an even-par round of 72, matching the American's 18-under 270 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Lake Malaren course.
The 22-year old had a chance to win in regulation play but narrowly missed a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th to head into a playoff at the 30-player, non-sanctioned invitational event.
"I'll be the first to say I haven't won enough in my four years as a pro. I should have won a lot more," the mop-haired McIlroy said.
"Today was great for me... under pressure on the back nine. One behind with four to play.
"To win from that position gives me a lot of satisfaction. I don't care how I win as long as my name is on that trophy at the end of the day."
On the first extra hole, the par-four 18th, McIlroy landed his chip from a greenside bunker to within a foot of the cup after both players had sent their approach shots next to each other in the sand.
Kim left himself a five-foot putt for par after his bunker shot but could only look on in horror as his putt to the left of the cup kept its line and skimmed past the lip to gift McIlroy the victory.
American Hunter Mahan and South Korea's Noh Seung-yul finished in a tie for third at 13-under in the inaugural event, a stroke clear of Briton Lee Westwood, who recorded a hole-in-one on the par-three 12th.
