McIlroy ties for 2nd, Kang wins over Kim because of rules violation

A struggling Rory McIlroy found some success at the Kolon Korean Open finishing in a tie for second. McIlroy dropped to 10 shots back after three rounds, but fired 4-under 67 on the final round to finish one back.

The big story this weekend was the rules violation that cost Kim Hyung-tae the victory to friend, Kang Sung-hoon. Similar to Dustin Johnson at the 2010 PGA Championship, Kim ground his club mistakenly in a hazard. This penalty was assessed well after Kim had finished the round, due to him and the rules officials going out to the hole and discussing the penalty and watching the video. But, in the end, Kim was assessed the penalty, and Kang got the win.

Kim and McIlroy both ended up in a five way tie for second place. This wasn't the ideal outcome for McIlroy, but its progress, and after a very poor 2013 season, McIlroy will take anything that will lead him in the right direction. McIroy is looking for a good 2014 season to get him back on his record-pacing career.

At the age of 24, is one of the only 24 year olds in golf history who has had as much success as he has. Two majors, and being ranked number one in world for some time are pretty big accomplishments at this young of an age. But I don't think McIroy is satisfied with his career as it is, he is looking for more and better accomplishments.

McIroy who had once stood toe-to-toe with Tiger Woods, and on his good days was better, was clearly out played by Woods in 2013, with five wins, and McIroy zero. These two were once the biggest and upcoming rivalry in golf, but there hasn't been much action it that due to Tiger not playing like Tiger when Rory's playing good, and Rory playing very poor when Tigers on. We as a golfing community would love to see these two, preferably at a major in 2014, go head to head playing their best, and see whose the best. But that isn't as easy to see with how poor Mcilroy's played recently.

Mcilroy looks to be going in the right direction, but the hill is very steep. For Kang, its time to celebrate, for Kim its time to move on.