Rory McIlroy finished tied for third as Korean young gun Bae Sang-moon successfully defended the Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open at Woo Jeung Hills GC near Seoul.

Bae recorded a one-stroke victory over compatriot Kim Dae-sub at Woo Jeung Hills Golf Club for his second big win of 2009.

“It just wasn’t to be today," said McIlroy, who closed with a one over par 72. "I really had a good chance to win but nothing happened for me on the back nine and Bae just played great. Well done to him."

Rory McIlroy trails teen rival Ryo Ishikawa by a shot after a first round comeback in the Kolon Hana Bank Korea Open.

Rory's new Twitter image was produced by aindreas.com. Is he a new gay icon we wonder?The Holywood native, 20, matched New Zealand young gun Danny Lee when bounced back from three over after eight holes to card a level par 71 at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club near Seoul.

Twittering from Korea, McIlroy wrote: "3 over thru 8 but finished at even so a pretty good come back even tho i bogeyed the last! but only 4 behind so still in good shape!"

Rory McIlroy will bid to prove he’s king of the young guns when he meets teen stars Ryo Ishikawa and Danny Lee in the $1m Kolon Hana Bank Korea Open.

RyoThe Ulster hotshot, 20, headed to Seoul to pick up a hefty appearance fee and his second tour win following his Dubai Desert Classic breakthrough in February.

But he will have his work cut out against Japan’s “Bashful Prince” Ishikawa , who romped to his fifth Japan Tour title on Sunday with a five-shot victory at the Fujisankei Classic.

Ishikawa, who turns 18 later this month, extended his lead at the top of the money list after claiming his third title of the year.

Korea-born Lee, 19, became the youngest winner of the US Amateur Championship last year, erasing Tiger Woods from the record books.

Teenage rookies Danny Lee and Ryo Ishikawa feel like nervous wrecks at the Masters.

But Rory McIlroy is still super cool and hoping to make a major impression.

America is only just waking up to the fact that Rory McIlroy is a fabulous player but the future of Ireland’s teenage prince will not be limited to the manicured fairways of the PGA Tour.