Golf: Rory McIlroy trounces Gary Woodland to seal WGC Match Play title

 World number one golfer Rory McIlroy bagged his first WGC Match Play title on Sunday with a 4 and 2 victory over long-hitting American opponent Gary Woodland.

The four-time major winner recovered from a shaky start with a putter to move clear with a string of birdies on the front nine.

Although Woodland made the Northern Irishman sweat a little by winning the 11th and 12th holes, McIlroy came back stoutly by winning the 14th to return to three up, and closed out the match 4 and 2 on the 16th green, the BBC reported.

Earlier in the day, McIlroy produced a stellar performance as he won the final two holes to end Jim Furyk's gritty challenge in the semi-final.