Rory McIlroy finishes 10 off pace at BMW Masters in Shanghai

World number six Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy was unable to summon up a final-day challenge at the BMW Masters in Shanghai as a closing one-over 73 left him in a share of 27th place.

McIlroy, six adrift going into the last round, finished on one under, 10 behind winner Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

The world number six carded five bogeys and four birdies.

Graeme McDowell's 74, which included a triple bogey at the 10th, left him in a share of 53rd on six over.

McIlroy's hopes of challenging for his first win of 2013 had taken a huge hit when he double bogeyed Saturday's final hole.

Instead of being four behind going into the final day, he was six back and while he birdied the first on Sunday, there bogeys in his next five holes ended his hopes.

McIlroy needed two birdies in his closing three holes to remain under par for the four rounds at the Lake Malaren Club.

Shane Lowry was the top Irishman in joint 24th place, a shot ahead of McIlroy, after hitting a closing 67.

Padraig Harrington finished with McIlroy on one under after matching his 73 while Paul McGinley also shot 73 to conclude on three over.

Despite a final-hole double bogey, Spaniard Fernandez-Castano (68) took a one-shot win over Francesco Molinari (64) and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (64).

With Molinari and Jaidee already in the clubhouse, Fernandez-Castano seemed set for a comfortable victory as he stood on the 18th tee but he found two bunkers at the final hole and needed to hole a nervy two footer to secure the title.

McDowell remains second in the Race to Dubai standings and he didn't lose too much ground to leader Henrik Stenson who finished in a share of 34th.

The Portrush man will play in the WGC-Champions Tournament next week, which also takes place in Shanghai, but has confirmed he will not play in the Turkish Open.

He will return for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in mid-November.