Behind three strokes going into the final, Rory McIlroy raced towards the Bridgestone Invitational championship like a runaway train.

McIlroy wiped his deficit in three holes, had the lead in the fourth, took control at the 11th hole, and never looked back to win with a two-shot victory over Sergio Garcia at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.

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Garcia bogeyed at the 15th hole and wound up on second place.

Eight-time Bridgestone and defending champion Tiger Woods withdrew from the event as he aggravating his lower back again during the tee off at the ninth hole.

McIlroy finished with a 15-under 265 in the four-day event adding US$ 1.4 million in his purse.

McIlroy got back on track after winning the BMW PGA Championship in the European tour last May and then his first major win this year, The Open Championship at the Royale Liverpool Golf Club in England on which Garcia also placed second along with Rickie Fowler of the United States also winning by two strokes.

McIlroy lost the No. 1 ranking in March of last year after withdrawing from the Honda Classic in February citing "tooth pain" as reason for not finishing the course. But critics claimed that he struggled with his new equipment.

"It feels like a long time since I lost that No. 1 spot," McIlroy said. "Hopefully, I can keep it for a while."

McIlroy will now be competing at the PGA Championship at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday. He last won the crown in 2012.

Tagstiger woods, PGA Championship, Sergio Garcia, David Lynn, Rickie Fowler