Fowler Storms To Maiden Win In Korea

CHEONAN: American Rickie Fowler claimed his first career victory with a six shot win at the Kolon Korea Open on Sunday, while Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy ended strongly to finish in second.

Fowler, 22, the world number 36, carded a three-under-par 68 final round to top the leaderboard at 16-under-par overall at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club OneAsia event.

US Open champion McIlroy produced a final round rally, carding 64. But the 22-year-old world number three was left to rue a third round 73 and forced to settle for a second consecutive runner-up finish.

South Korea's Kim Meen-whee was three shots further adrift in third after a level par final round.

"It was a nice way to finish, but all the damage was done during the third round with a couple of bad holes in the middle of the round," said McIlroy, who dropped six shots in eight holes around the turn on Saturday.

"Looking back on this week, I will rue my third round, which could have been a lot better.

"If I had played a little better and shot a few under I might have had a chance, but Rickie has played fantastic this week and he deserves the win."

Fowler said his goal was to make the Ryder Cup team.

"It feels great to have the first win. I played well all week, although I did have to hang in on Friday and post a score," he said.

"But on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday I had good control of my ball, I drove well, and I made some putts."

The 2010 US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year took a four shot lead over defending champion YE Yang heading into the final round after carding a course record-equalling eight-under-par 63 on Saturday.

"This week I played well for four rounds which I have not been able to do that in the past," he said.

"I am looking forward to some time off and then I can look at everything and set some goals for next year."

He said next year he would play mainly on the PGA Tour where he would aim for his first win.

"I also haven't made the Tour Championship in the last two years, so that is another goal for next year. But the biggest goal is to make sure I make the Ryder Cup team," he said.

Korea's Republic's Kim-Meen-whee closed with a level par final round to claim third place ahead of Yang after the 2009 PGA Championship winner could only manage a 75 to slip to fourth.