Golf: McIlroy blasts course record to win Quail Hollow

CHARLOTTE - Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy has become the youngest player to win on the US PGA Tour since Tiger Woods.

McIlroy, who turns 21 on Tuesday, started the final round at the Quail Hollow Championship four strokes from the lead, carding a stunning course record 10-under-par 62.

He clinched his maiden American victory in fine style, storming home in 30 strokes on the back nine to finish at 15-under 273, four strokes ahead of American Phil Mickelson (68) on the tough Quail Hollow course.

"Sixteen-under weekend around this place, it's ridiculous," said McIlroy, who made the halfway cut with nothing to spare. "It was just one of those days where everything went right."

It is McIlroy's second professional victory, following last year's Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour.

Matt Jones (68) finished best Australian, nine strokes behind in a tie for seventh, with Robert Allenby (72) and Aron Price (68) another three shots behind in a tie for 17th.

McIlroy's performance comes only a few hours after 18-year-old Ryo Ishikawa shot 58, the lowest score ever on a major international tour, to win the Japan Tour's Crowns tournament.

Whether it signals a changing on the guard remains to be seen, but Ishikawa and McIlroy won on the same weekend that 34-year-old Woods missed the cut by eight strokes.

McIlroy was somewhat fortunate just to be playing on the weekend, because he made the halfway cut only after an eagle at his 16th hole during the second round.

But he made the most of his chance, shooting a third round 66 to vault into contention, before backing it up with an even better performance on a day when 66 was the second best score.

He already had victory locked up by time he got to the 18th green.

- AAP