Rose storms to WGC-HSBC Champions title

WGC
  • October 30, 2017

Justin Rose came from eight shots behind overnight to win the WGC-HSBC Champions by two strokes in Shanghai on Sunday.

The Englishman shot a final-round 67 to finish at 14-under-par 274 total for the victory ahead of world number one Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson and Brooks Koepka all in second place.

Rose was still six shots back with nine holes to play but stormed to victory over a dramatic back nine at Sheshan Golf Club.

Johnson looked to have the victory sewn up after giving himself a six-shot lead over countryman Koepka in second overnight.

But on Sunday in blustery conditions, the American started with two bogeys to open the door slightly for the chasing pack – and it would only get worse from there.

Johnson failed to get his putter going all day and was gradually caught by Rose, Stenson and Koepka.

The 33-year-old carded another bogey at the 12th while Stenson made birdie as the Swede and Koepka found themselves only two shots behind.

Rose, who was playing in the group ahead, then made birdies at 11, 13 and 14 to join Koepka and Stenson.

Koepka cut Johnson's lead down to one-shot with a birdie at the 14th, before Rose nailed his seventh birdie at the 16th to draw level for the lead.

For Johnson, things did not get any better when he bogeyed the par-four 16th, as Rose and Stenson grabbed the lead with two holes to play.

On the 17th, Rose made another birdie to head to the final hole one shot ahead of Stenson, with Johnson in third and Koepka fourth.

Rose then parred the 18th and had a few nervous moments as he waited for the other three to finish – though victory was his.

Leading WGC-HSBC Champions final-round scores:

274 – Justin Rose (ENG) 67-68-72-67
276 – Henrik Stenson (SWE) 68-69-69-70, Brooks Koepka (USA) 64-68-73-71, Dustin Johnson (USA) 68-63-68-77
280 – Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP) 68-70-70-72, Peter Uihlein (USA) 72-67-69-72, Kyle Stanley (USA) 71-68-68-72
281 – Brian Harman (USA) 68-69-70-74
282 – Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 71-70-70-71, Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 68-69-72-73
283 – Jason Day (AUS) 69-74-72-68, Tony Finau (USA) 67-72-74-70, Paul Casey (ENG) 71-72-69-71, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 68-70-71-74
284 – Branden Grace (RSA) 74-69-72-69, Phil Mickelson (USA) 71-72-74-67, Daisuke Kataoka (JPN) 71-72-69-72, Patrick Cantlay (USA) 68-74-69-73, Charles Howell (USA) 72-67-71-74

Dustin Johnson Justin Rose WGC HSBC Champions

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