Rory McIlroy won the US PGA Tour’s Honda Classic on Sunday to reach No.1 in the world, and he did it with Tiger Woods breathing down his neck.

Northern Ireland’s McIlroy carded a one-under par 69 for 12-under 268, keeping his nerve after Woods – who started the day nine adrift – charged to the clubhouse lead with an eight-under par 62 that eventually left the 14-time major champion tied for second place with Tom Gillis on 10-under 270.

Woods, the former world No.1 who hasn’t won a tour level event in more than two years, started the day nine off McIlroy’s lead.

But he delivered a superb round that included two eagles and four birdies, his birdie-eagle finish briefly moving him within one shot of McIlroy.

McIlroy responded with the second of his two birdies, at the 13th hole, and made a series of clutch par saves to preserve the victory.

At 22 years old, McIlroy became the second-youngest player, behind Woods, to claim the number one ranking.

“First and foremost it’s just great to win this tournament,” McIlroy said.

“It was tough today, especially seeing Tiger make a charge. I knew par would probably good enough today, that’s what I was trying to do.”

Woods posted the lowest final round of his career.

He was in sole possession of second place until Gillis, a journeyman who began the round tied for second two shots back, birdied the final hole to join him on 270.

Englishman Lee Westwood also produced a final-round charge, shooting 63 to climb to outright fourth on 272, one shot ahead of US Masters champion Charl Schwartzel (69) and Justin Rose (70).

Greg Chalmers was the best of the Australians, carding a final-round 71 to finish the tournament at four-under 276 in a tie for 12th.