WGC-Cadillac Match Play Roundup: McIlroy claims title after series of comebacks

Rory McIlroy would not be denied the WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. After coming from behind on the final holes to win three of his previous four matchups, McIlroy cruised to a 4 & 2 victory over Gary Woodland in the final Sunday.

It's the first time McIlroy has won the event after finishing as runner-up to Hunter Mahan in 2012. McIlroy takes home a cool $1.57 million with the victory.

The Northern Irishman becomes just the second No. 1 overall seed to claim the WGC Match Play Championship. Tiger Woods was the other, having won the tournament as the No. 1 seed in 2003, 2004 and 2008.

McIlroy trailed late in his final round-robin match with Billy Horschel, his quarterfinal match with Paul Casey and his semifinal showdown with Jim Furyk before mounting a victory comeback each time.

His most impressive win came earlier Sunday against Furyk in one of the semifinal matches, eagling No. 18 to book his spot in the final. He finished birdie-birdie-eagle to stun Furyk.

Check out the filthy eagle putt:

Woodland, meanwhile, defeated Danny Willett in Sunday's other semifinal. 

It's hard not to be impressed with McIlroy:

The Northern Irishman said:

When I went 1-down on 15, I sort of said to myself, "I've been in this position before." So, I've gained confidence from the previous matches. I felt like the last three holes setup well for me, compared to Jim, with my length. Being able to maybe hit it on the green at 16 and have a bit of a shorter iron into 17. The confidence has built from all those matches I've played this week, and thankfully into the final from it.