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SEOUL. — Former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy made a belated charge to finish tied second at the Kolon Korean Open golf tournament yesterday.The two-time major champ shot a four-under 67 at the US$1 million OneAsia event, held on the par-71 Woo Jeong Hills Country Club, south of Seoul.

He put together his best round of the tournament with four birdies, one eagle and one bogey. The Northern Irish star ended in second place with four others at three-under 281, one stroke behind the champion Kang Sung-Hoon of South Korea.

In his two previous appearances at the South Korean national championship, McIlroy tied for third in 2009 and finished the runner-up in 2011.

McIlroy failed to end his 2013 winless drought here, as he kicked off his late-season Asian swing, but said he was happy with how he played.

“I only missed two greens and had so many chances,” McIlroy said. “But it was like the story of yesterday. I just didn’t hole enough putts. I created so many more chances today that it could have been 61, 62. It just wasn’t to be.

“I hit the ball really well off the tee and my iron play was very solid as well,” he added. “I feel like my game is in good shape going into the next few weeks, and that’s a good thing.”

Kang Sung-Hoon captured the title after firing a two-under 69 on the final day to finish at four-under 280. He made four birdies against two bogeys.

Overnight leader Kim Hyung-Tae blew a four-stroke lead en route to a disastrous six-over 77, and received a two-stroke penalty for grounding his club in a hazard on the par-3 13th.

His day included just one birdie against four bogeys and a triple bogey. Defending champion Kim Dae-Sub was even worse in the final round, shooting an 80 to end at seven-over, tied for 30th place. — AFP.