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McIlroy targets Donald's No. 1 spot

Rory McIlroy became measurably richer with victory at the Shanghai Masters © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy is hoping to overhaul Luke Donald - first of all in the Race to Dubai, then in the world rankings - after claiming the £1.25 million first prize at the lucrative Shanghai Masters.

The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland held on to take victory at Lake Malaren on Sunday, after American Anthony Kim crumbled on the first extra hole of their playoff.

The financial reward for victory may have been lucrative but the event's lack of official tour sanctioning means McIlroy received no world ranking points for his success - although the world No. 3 hopes the result gives him the confidence to take the same form into this week's WGC HSBC-Champions event, also in Shanghai.

McIlroy is hoping to win at Sheshan International Golf Course to close the gap on Donald's £1.15m lead in the year-end Race to Dubai, and give him a platform to also try and overhaul the Englishman as world No. 1 in 2012.

"I want to get closer to Luke," McIlroy said. "I know he's not playing next week and I feel I am playing well enough to contend there.

"A big week could put me in the frame to win the Race to Dubai."

Victory in China was just McIlroy's fourth win since turning professional in 2007, with his biggest triumph coming at the US Open earlier this year. McIlroy is not satisfied with that rate of return and wants to start picking up multiple titles every season.

"I'll be the first to say I haven't won enough in my four years as a pro," he said. "I should have won a lot more. But today was great for me. To win from that position (one behind with four holes to play) gives me a lot of satisfaction. I don't care how I win as long as my name is on that trophy at the end of the day."

In the latest rankings, Sergio Garcia has risen yet again after winning his second successive European Tour event at the Andalucian Masters. The Spaniard clinched a one-shot victory at Valderrama after some clutch putting during the closing stages, elevating him to 18th in the world and earning his place in this week's Champions event, which he won in its former guise in 2008.

Elsewhere, Bo Van Pelt is now up to 25th after his comprehensive triumph at the Asia Pacific Classic.

World rankings: 1. Luke Donald (ENG), 2. Lee Westwood (ENG), 3. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 4. Dustin Johnson (USA), 5. Steve Stricker (USA), 6. Martin Kaymer (GER), 7. Jason Day (AUS), 8. Adam Scott (AUS), 19. Webb Simpson (USA), 10. Matt Kuchar (USA), 11. Phil Mickelson (USA), 12. Nick Watney (USA), 13. KJ Choi (KOR), 14. Charl Schwartzel (SAF), 15. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 16. Bubba Watson (USA), 17. Justin Rose (ENG), 18. Sergio Garcia (ESP), 19. David Toms (USA), 20 Hunter Mahan (USA).

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