Rory McIlroy wins Shanghai Masters after sudden-death play-off

McIlroy lost a three-shot lead for the second event in a row in Shanghai

US Open champion Rory McIlroy beat American Anthony Kim in a play-off to win the Shanghai Masters and claim the richest prize in golf - £1.24m ($2m).

McIlroy gave up an early three-shot lead before rallying on the back nine to finish level with Kim at 18 under.

The 22-year-old had a chance to win with an eight-foot birdie putt on the 18th, but missed by inches.

Both players drove into the bunker on the first hole, but Kim missed his putt, while McIlroy sank his to win.

While McIlroy pocketed over £1m, Kim took home £465,000 ($750,000). Thirty players took part in the invitational, first-year tournament, which is not sanctioned by a major tour.

American Hunter Mahan and South Korea's Noh Seung-yul finished equal third at 13 under.

England's world number two Lee Westwood hit a hole in one on the 12th hole and seven birdies for a 67, finishing in fifth place at 12 under. It was the best round of the week for Westwood, despite the fact he ended with two bogeys.

The final round turned into an unexpected battle between McIlroy and world number 82 Kim.

There were echoes of McIlroy's stunning collapse at the Masters earlier this year when he surrendered a four-shot lead in the final round at Augusta on his way to an 80.

After three rounds of relatively mistake-free golf in Shanghai, the world number three hit into the water and bunkers, and missed several close putts, but this time, he was able to turn it around.

The Northern Irishman, playing his first event since changing management, resumed three clear, but had a bogey to Kim's birdie on the first and, when he dropped another shot at the 11th, trailed by one.

McIlroy drew level with a birdie at the 15th, however, and with pars at the final three holes they tied on the 18-under-par mark of 270, McIlroy going round in a level-par 72 to Kim's 69.

At the first extra hole Kim missed a three-foot putt and McIlroy's two-footer for par gave him the title.

"I've been close in two or three tournaments and had two thirds and two seconds and was finally able to get myself over the line today," said McIlroy.

"This was the third play-off of my career, and I was able to win this one, so at least my record in these events is getting better.

"I am just delighted to get another win."