(CNN) -- Rory McIlroy kept his nerve in the face of a last day charge from Tiger Woods to win the Honda Classic Sunday and jump to the top of the world rankings.
The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland finished with a one-under-par 69 for a 12-under total of 268 at the PGA National in Florida.
The victory will see him leapfrog England's Luke Donald as world No.1, a week after missing out on the honor when beaten by Hunter Mahan in the WGC Match Play final.
14-time major winner Woods showed he is still a force to be reckoned with after a closing eight-under 62, his lowest final round as a professional.
Rory McIlroy has risen to the top of golf's world rankings after winning the Honda Classic in Florida on Sunday. It caps a remarkable rise for the 22-year-old Northern Irishman in recent years. Here he is as a 14-year-old playing at the Boys Home Internationals at the Royal St David's Golf Club in Wales in August 2003.
Top of the world: The rise and rise of Rory
He finished by draining an eight-foot eagle putt on the 18th to set the clubhouse target on 10-under 270.
World no.3 Lee Westwood also charged through the field on the last day with a 63 to finish on eight-under.
McIlroy, under constant pressure from those ahead of him and playing partner Tom Gillis, had to wait until the eighth for his first birdie of the day.
He dropped a shot at the 12th, but retrieved it with a birdie at the next to give himself a cushion playing the "Bear Trap" holes of 15, 16 and 17.
The U.S. Open champion duly completed that test in level par and he played safe on the 18th for a par-five to wrap up his third PGA tour title.
"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."
The 43-year-old Gillis birdied the 18th to tie Woods for second, two back, for his best finish on the tour.
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McIlroy got into the winning habit early, finishing top in the Under-15 boys competition of Nick Faldo's junior golf series in 2004. The following year he would shoot a course record 61 at the Dunluce links at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. His astonishing eleven-under par total included nine birdies and an eagle.
McIlroy finishes as low amateur at the 2007 Open Championship held at Carnoustie, Scotland.
Look behind you! Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2007 where the Northen Irishman finished third to mark his arrival in the professional ranks.
A dejected McIlroy reflects on a missed putt during a playoff at the 2008 Omega Masters in Switzerland. The 19-year-old narrowly missed out on his first European Tour win losing out to Jean-Francois Lucquin from France.
Three months before his 20th birthday, McIlroy claimed his first European Tour title winning the Dubai Desert Classic in February 2009, beating England's Justin Rose by a single shot.
McIlroy claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the Quail Hollow Championship thanks to a stunning final round of 62 in May 2010.
His debut in the Ryder Cup was equally successful as Europe beat the U.S. team at Celtic Manor Resort, Wales in October 2010. His paring with fellow countryman Graeme McDowell was one of the highlights of the match.
McIlroy celebrates Europe's win (by one point) over the U.S. team with teammate Padraig Harrington (left) and vice-captain, Spain's Sergio Garcia.
Masters disaster. McIlroy chips out from the trees on the 10th hole during the final round of the 2011 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. He sqaundered a four-shot lead in the final round to eventually finish in a tie for 15th.
Major winner: McIlroy bounced back from his Masters collapse in amazing fashion winning the U.S. Open in a record low aggregate score of 268.
Top of the world: McIlroy's victory at the Honda Classic has seen him replace England's Luke Donald at the top of the world rankings.
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