Learn golf tips from Mahan

having lived up to the billing in how he beat Lee Westwood within the semi-finals from the Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, McIlroy still necessary to beat Mahan to accept Number one spot.

The 22-year-old totally last seven holes from the match in five under par with the eagle and three birdies, but that every came after he previously three bogeys and a double-bogey in a front-nine 39 and yes it added to a 2&1 defeat.

'I just left myself too much to accomplish,' said Titleist 712 AP1 Irons Northern Ireland's US Open champion, whose next chance to dethrone Donald will come in this week's Honda Classic in Florida.

'It wasn't to get, on the other hand was without my best game with me this week.'

There was clearly still plenty to admire, though, and simply because was once stablemates he took extra pleasure in enabling better of Westwood, who finished the wedding with double defeat after also losing the third-place play-off to Mahan's compatriot Mark Wilson.

Westwood led McIlroy by three Titleist 712 AP2 Irons after four, nevertheless the youngster hit back with six birdies in eight holes and won 3&1.

'I'm satisfied with how I'm playing and hopefully clothing some time before I'm winning again,' added McIlroy. 'I've got two more tournaments prior to Masters and that is what I'm building up to.'

It had been at Augusta last April, needless to say, which he led by four which has a round to visit after which crashed to a 80.

The disappointment of the was more than comprised for by winning his first major title only 8 weeks later, but becoming the youngest-ever winner of your World Golf Championship since they began in 1999 could have been another feather in the cap.

Nobody can tell he an easy way to the trophy the other day. He beat three of his cup team-mates in Zach Johnson, Steve discount golf clubs Stricker and Matt Kuchar, former USPGA champion YE Yang, Wilson after which McIlroy.

And he said afterwards: 'It feels good. I didn't realise how difficult it's to win this week because it's six matches and you are clearly playing from the best players on the planet.'