Rory McIlroy wins Pebble Beach Pro-Am with Shane Lowry finishing second

"I said to Harry walking up the last 'start as you mean to go on.' I'm just as determined this year as I have been in any of the years I have been out here on the PGA Tour," said McIlroy.

CHAMPION: Rory McIlroy has won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am while Shane Lowry finished in second place. Pic: AP Photo/Nic Coury.

Rory McIlroy has won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am while Shane Lowry finished in second place.

McIlroy landed his 27th PGA Tour title after shooting a 66 on Sunday to put him at -21 overall, just two shots ahead of Lowry on -19.

The Northern Ireland man's victory moves him up to third in the World Rankings.

"Some people would argue that the Golf courses I have won on are not up to a Pebble Beach or an Augusta or whatever," McIlroy told CBS Sports shortly after his win, his first ever at the famous venue.

"To win at one of the cathedrals of Golf is really, really cool. I knew today was going to be tough, it was going to be exciting, there as some many guys around the lead and with it being Pebble Beach I had to put that to the back of my mind and just go out there and try to shoot a score which I was able to.

"Really cool to have that walk up 18, to take it all in was very cool. It's a really cool way to start the season.

“Getting the job done is, ultimately what I needed to do. It was also good to see Shane make four to finish second on his own. So that'll make our flight home a little bit better for both of us.

"I said to Harry (Diamond, his caddie) walking up the last 'start as you mean to go on.' I'm just as determined this year as I have been in any of the years I have been out here on the PGA Tour.

"To get this win this early, it means a great deal and hopefully just keep the momentum going into Torrey Pines in a couple of weeks time."