Mcilroy beats Woodland to claim crown

Title match was never in doubt

Rory Mcilroy didn’t need another comeback to win the Match Play Championship.

Three times in the last three days, Mcilroy had to rally to reach the championship match Sunday at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. He removed any suspense by winning four straight holes against Gary Woodland.

Woodland conceded the 16th hole, and Mcilroy captured his second World Golf Championship with a 4-and-2 victory. Three weeks after Jordan Spieth won the Masters and emerged as the most likely rival, Mcilroy reminded the world of his No. 1 ranking.

Mcilroy won for the second time this year and the 16th time worldwide. It was his 10th PGA Tour victory, joining Woods (24) and Jack Nicklaus (12) as the only players with at least 10 victories at age 25 or younger. Mcilroy turns 26 on Monday.

LPGA Tour:

Inbee Park won the North Texas Shootout for the second time in three years, closing with a bogeyfree 6-under 65 for a threestroke victory.

Park finished at 15-under 269 at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas, for her second victory this year and 14th on the tour.

Cristie Kerr and Hee Young Park tied for second. The 37year-old Kerr had three consecutive birdies to finish her round of 66. Hee Young Park also had a 66.

Lexi Thompson, who shared the third-round lead with Inbee Park, closed with a 69 to tie for fourth with Maria Mcbride (65) at 11 under.

Champions Tour: Ian Woosnam made a 30-foot birdie putt in a playoff to win the Insperity Invitational in The Woodlands, Texas.

Woosnam, the 57-year-old Welshman playing on a sponsor exemption, beat Kenny Perry and Tom Lehman on the first extra hole.

Woosnam closed with a 4under 68 to match Perry and Lehman at 11-under 205. Perry finished with a 66, and Lehman shot 69.