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McIlroy bullish despite falling away again

Rory McIlroy wilted in the baking heat of Malaysia © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy insisted he was "proud" of his efforts at the Maybank Malaysian Open on Sunday, despite squandering a winning position for the second time in as many weeks.

The Ulsterman held a three-stroke lead on the final day in Kuala Lumpur, but ended up finishing in third place, two shots behind winner Matteo Manassero. Seven days earlier, McIlroy blew his chance to win The Masters by falling apart on the back nine at Augusta.

He is refusing to become disheartened, however, after bouncing back in a more successful fashion than most anticipated. "At this point I'm pretty disappointed but it was a good week," McIlroy said. "I started off really well in the tournament. To shoot the scores that I did considering the travelling - from Augusta to Malaysia - is a pretty good effort.

"I'm proud of myself at how I picked myself up from last week and the way I came back on the back nine today."

With the win in Malaysia, Manassero has drawn level with McIlroy on two professional triumphs - and McIlroy paid tribute to the 17-year-old Italian. "Matteo is fantastic. He is a great talent - to get two wins on the European Tour before your 18th birthday is pretty special."

In the world rankings, Graeme McDowell leaps above Tiger Woods - despite neither appearing last week - and McIlroy climbs one to eighth.

World Rankings: 1. Martin Kaymer (GER), 2. Lee Westwood (ENG), 3. Luke Donald (ENG), 4. Phil Mickelson (USA), 5. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 6. Tiger Woods (USA), 7. Paul Casey (ENG), 8. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 9. Steve Stricker (USA), 10. Matt Kuchar (USA), 11. Charl Schwartzel (SAF), 12. Dustin Johnson (USA), 13. Jim Furyk (USA), 14. Nick Watney (USA), 15. Ernie Els (SAF), 16. Adam Scott (AUS), 17. Ian Poulter (ENG), 18. Bubba Watson (USA), 19. Francesco Molinari (ITA), 20. Hunter Mahan (USA).

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