McIlroy takes $2million Shanghai Masters title

SHANGHAI: Rory McIlroy enjoyed a $2 million pay day on Sunday after a nerve-shredding play off with American Anthony Kim who came within a whisker of claiming the lavish purse at the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters.

The pair dueled in a tense sudden death on the tricky par four 18th hole for the biggest cash prize in golf.

Nothing separated the players at the last, with their approach shots landing four feet apart in the bunker under the green amid disbelieving gasps from the grandstand.

But Kim gifted McIlroy the most lucrative cheque of his career when he missed a crucial three foot putt after a precision bunker shot.

McIlroy, the world number three, tapped in from two feet to complete a pleasing first week's work and take home a bulging wage packet.

He will celebrate with tennis ace girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki who flew into China on Sunday to join him.

Early nerves frazzled the US Open champion who dropped three shots -- hitting the water and rough with wayward drives -- and threatened to derail his title charge after leading the 30-strong field from the first day.

It allowed Kim, who picked up the $750,00 second prize, to take a one-shot lead but the Northern Irishman stormed back to card a par 72 and end the tournament tied on 18 under overall to force the play-off.

American Hunter Mahan and the impressive Korean youngster Noh Seung-Yul tied third, each on 13 under.

World number two Lee Westwood fired a magical ace on the par 3 12th to top a blistering last round surge, carding seven birdies -- five on the front nine.

But his momentum waned and he bogeyed his last two holes to claim fifth on 12 under with England's Ian Poulter sealing sixth place a shot behind.

The final round was played in the best conditions of the inaugural tournament backed by billionaire property tycoon Shi Jian and his US-educated son Janson.

The $2 million kitty outstrips the other major offerings by a cool half million dollars but is not the quite the record amount as claimed by the organisers throughout the competition.

The annual -- and similarly unsanctioned -- "African Major", the Nedbank Golf Challenge, in 2000 became the first tournament to offer $2 million to the winner, but has since spread the $4.8 purse move evenly among the 12 players. (AFP)