Hunter Mahan thinks it is only a matter of time before Rory McIlroy becomes the number one player in the world after the American edged to victory in the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.
Mahan made the most of the US Open champion’s slow start to beat him 2 & 1 in the final and claim his second World Golf Championship event.
McIlroy, who beat Lee Westwood in the semi-finals, needed to win in Arizona to move ahead of world number one Luke Donald in the standings.
Mahan said after his victory: “Deep down I wanted to postpone that crowning of the number one player in the world for Rory. He’ll get there. He’s phenomenal, he’s really talented. He’ll be number one eventually.”
McIlroy is pleased with how his build-up is going to the first Major of the year – the US Masters – which he is 13/2 with bookmaker to win, while Mahan is available at 33/1.