Celebrity scrutiny burdens McIlroy

Rory McIlroy might be a former world No 1 but he refuses to come to terms with the scrutiny into his private life and business dealings that comes with his vaunted position in the game.

It was almost fitting that he ended the season with a listless bogey at Sherwood Country Club near Los Angeles, where he finished 11th behind winner Zach Johnson and host Tiger Woods in what was a thrilling finish to the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge before it leaves Sherwood Country Club and moves to Isleworth in Florida.

McIlroy bunkered his approach to his final hole and dribbled a five footer wide of the cup before tapping in for a closing 70, which could not have been any more low key in comparison with the dramatic way Johnson denied Woods his sixth title in the event that benefits his foundation — holing a 58-yard wedge at the 72nd hole to force a play-off before Woods lipped out from four feet at the first extra hole to concede victory.