McIlroy in line for Masters chance

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DETERMINED: Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy lost out in a play-off in Hong Kong.

RORY McIlroy put himself in contention for a Masters debut next April despite falling just short of securing a maiden European Tour win at the UBS Hong Kong Open.

The 19-year-old lost out in a dramatic play-off to Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei, but his second-place finish alongside Italian Francesco Molinari moved him up to 50th in the world rankings.

Should McIlory remain in the top 50 at the end of next month he would earn himself a debut at The Masters at Augusta next year.

And the Northern Irishman insisted the defeat in Hong Kong is already behind him as he focuses on making a solid start to 2009.

“As long as I can keep putting myself in these positions and feeling the nerves and the adrenaline, I’ll know I’m doing things right,” said McIlroy, who failed to make the cut at the UBS Hong Kong Open last year in the first tournament of his rookie season on the European Tour.

“It puts me in a great position going into the new year and I have two events left in South Africa.

“If I don’t win there, I’ll hopefully win sometime next year.

“As long as I keep putting myself in these positions, I’ll be able to pull through sooner or later.”

McIlroy should not be disheartened with his performance yesterday having climbed the leaderboard with a five-under-par 65 to enter a three-way play-off with Lin and Molinari.

Paul Lawrie carded a four under 66 to finish on six-under par and tied for 29th place.