McIlroy becomes World number one golfer after winning Honda Classic

Florida, Mar 5(ANI): Talented golfer Rory McIlroy has become World number one after winning the Honda Classic in Florida by two strokes.

Long touted as the world's top golfer, Rory finally fulfilled his destiny on Sunday with a win over Tiger Woods and against one of the strongest fields of the nascent 2012 season.

McIlroy has long mentioned Woods as a boyhood hero. Now the pair are competitors, bound together by a rivalry that lightened up a thrilling afternoon at the US PGA National Course in Tampa, as the American posted the best final round of his US PGA Tour career, an eight-under 62 to give McIlroy the scare of his young life.

The 22-year old Irishman is also the second youngest player in history to climb to the top of the sport's rankings.

His one-under round of 69 in response was solid if unspectacular, though in the context of the moment such matters of style hardly mattered.

McIlroy was ecstatic after his win and said it was an honor for him to become the best golfer in the world.

"The way I won today was great. It was tough, especially seeing Tiger make a charge. I knew par golf would probably be good enough. To shoot one-under in these conditions, when you go into the round with the lead, is very nice. And I was just able to get the job done," The Guardian quoted McIlroy, as saying.

"It means an awful lot to be able to call yourself the No1 player in the world: it is a great achievement. I am very honored to join the list of guys who have held that spot. Hopefully I can keep a hold it for a little while," he added. (ANI)