Fedex Cup champion Rory McIlroy beat defending champion Xander Schauffele in a play-off to win the HSBC Champions, at Sheshan International. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

RORY McIlroy overcame Xander Schauffele in a play-off to win his third World Golf Championships title at the WGC-HSBC Champions, in China.

The Northern Irishman – who claimed his second Fedex Cup win in August – entered the final day at Sheshan International Golf Club with a one-shot lead.

And McIlroy still held that as he stood on the 18th tee, with playing partner and defending champion Schauffele his nearest challenger.

A closing birdie from Schauffele saw him join McIlroy at 19-under and take it to extra holes, but the American could not repeat last season’s play-off triumph over Tony Finau.

McIlroy hit a wonderful drive and found the green in two to set up a birdie which Schauffele could not match.

The San Diego ace found a nasty lie off the tee and was forced to lay-up on the first trip back up the 18th.

McIlroy said: “There’s a lot of stuff that people don’t see behind the scenes just in terms of hard work and putting the hours in at home.

“But all of that, it’s not work, really. It’s playing golf for a living. I’d be in trouble if I did have to work for a living.

“To practise hard and to do all the right things and to see it pay off like this and get wins like this makes it all worthwhile.

“It is what sport is about. Xander pushed me the whole way, or all 73 holes we played together this week.

“We played every round, and one more, as well. He played great. He was battling a flu all week, wasn’t feeling his best, and so the calibre of golf he played this week, it takes some doing.

“I don’t want to take anything away from him. He birdied the last to get into the play-off, and then I produced two of the best shots of the day when I needed it, which was really cool.

“I have one more event left in Dubai. I want to finish the season off as well as I can,” said McIlroy, whose biggest disappointment of the year came when he missed the cut at Royal Portrush, which hosted the Open, for the first time in 58 years in July.

McIlroy, who had two top 10s in the US Open and USPGA, added: “I really wanted to get another win before the end of the year.

“And now that I’ve done that, it would be nice to get two wins.

“I’m excited for the future. I feel like this year compares to 2014, 2015, but I don’t see any reason why I can’t go ahead and have an even better year next year.”

The win for McIlroy is his fourth worldwide this season and sees him join only Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods as players to have won three of the four World Golf Championships events.

Rory’s previous victories came at the Bridgestone Invitational in 2014, and the WGC Cadillac Match Play in 2015.

A 14th European Tour victory – and the World No. 2’s first since the 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open – also sees him equal Darren Clarke’s record for Northern Ireland.

Schauffele paid tribute to his conqueror saying: “He’s an elite player. When he’s on, I’d say he’s arguably the best player in the world.

“He made me play better. I know what I need to do to become a better player.

“My time will come. I’m looking forward to getting healthy, not coughing, sleeping. More important things than trying to win a golf tournament.”

South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen was the third member of the final group and he finished third at 17-under – two shots clear of Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, Frenchman Victor Perez and Austrian Matthias Schwab.

Perez and Schwab both fired closing rounds of 66 in impressive World Golf Championships debuts, while Ancer signed for a 67.

Sheffield’s Matthew Fitzpatrick finished on 14-under, two shots clear of Jason Kokrak, Patrick Reed and Paul Waring.

•For full results in the HSBC Champions click here.

SHANGHAI, CHINA – NOVEMBER 03: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland pictured after with the ‘Old Tom Morris Trophy’ after winning the WGC HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 03, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

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A third 67 in a row gave Rory McIlroy a one-shot lead over Louis Oosthuizen as he chases a third World Golf Championships title in the HSBC Champions, at Sheshan International. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

RORY McIlroy carded a third consecutive round of 67 to take a one-shot lead into the final day of the WGC-HSBC Champions.

The World No. 2 is going in search of a third World Golf Championships title – and went bogey-free to move to 15-under and edge one clear of Louis Oosthuizen.

The South African has a Claret Jug in his trophy collection, but has never won a WGC event – losing out to Australian Jason Day in the final of the WGC-Dell Match Play three years ago.

McIlroy said: “I probably played the best today that I’ve played all week. I drove the ball well.

“Hitting my irons pretty good for the most part. I feel like I didn’t quite get as much out of the round as I could have but I’m not going to complain.

“I’m in the lead going into tomorrow, so just need to rest up and try to get out there and play another good, solid round of golf.

“I keep saying, I think my consistency this year, I’ve been able to take that to another level to what I’ve been able to do previously.

“Right now, the game feels pretty simple. I know that it’s not going to feel like that all the time, but when it does, you have to take advantage of that feeling.

“I’ve given myself another opportunity to win a very big golf tournament, a tournament that I’ve never won before.

“I want to go out there and be committed, play aggressively, and shoot a good number. I took a lot from the win in Canada earlier this year.

“I went out tied for the lead, and I just said from the start, ‘I’m going to keep my foot down and I’m going to go for everything.’

“It was a good lesson that when you do have something right there, in front of you – a tournament to win or something to achieve – you just have to grab it with both hands, and that’s what I’ll do tomorrow.”

A victory for McIlroy would be his first European Tour triumph since 2016.

It would also see the Fedex Cup winner join just Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson in having won three of the four different WGC events.

The Northern Irishman won his second and latest WGC event at the 2015 Match Play at San Francisco’s Harding Park.

Since then has had nine top 10s in the tournaments, including a fourth top five at Sheshan International Golf Club in 2016.

Oosthuizen will be hoping to be inspired by South Africa’s Rubgy World Cup final, which came after the end of the third round in China.

“It was a very fast start,” said Oosthuizen. “I really struck the ball really good with my irons.

“The driver, I had a few awkward swings out there, but at the end I started hitting it good. So all in all, I feel like I’ve got a really good feel on the greens, and just played really good.

“I think around this golf course, the way the greens are, if you give yourself lots of opportunities, you’re going to make a few.

“They are so pure and so good, the greens. It’s the best I’ve seen them,” added Oosthuizen.

“I played with Rory the last two rounds last week. He’s absolutely striping it. I need to play really good golf tomorrow.”

Sheffield’s Matthew Fitzpatrick and defending champion Xander Schauffele were at 13-under, a shot clear of Cheshire’s Paul Waring.

Fitzpatrick, who is looking to extend of winning at least once in each year he has been on tour, said: “It was a bit up-and-down.

“Certainly didn’t have any ‘A Game’ today. Just didn’t feel comfortable really out there with my driver.

“The fairways around here are tough, and that was a bit of a grind. To get in at 13 that was good – you’ve got to be on your game.

“Of course you’re looking at leaderboards, and anyone that says otherwise is a liar. You’ve always got it in your mind, that you know what you need to do, and – at the same time – got to try and stick to the game plan.

“That’s why everybody is here is to win. If not, you may as well go home.

“It will be a good day tomorrow. Unfortunately, Rory is playing very well. He’s playing very annoying. I’ve got to play well, and that’s why it’s a World Golf Championships. It’s got the best players in the world.”

Sungjae Im and Jason Kokrak were at 11-under, a shot clear of Abraham Ancer and Kevin Kisner – and two ahead of another South African – Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Recent Alfred Dunhill Links winner Victor Perez and Austria’s Matthias Schwab are also on the same mark.

•For live scoring in the fourth round of the HSBC Champions click here.

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Hallamshire’s Matt Fitzpatrick shot a five-under 67 to take the second round lead inthe HSBC Champions at Sheshan International. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

MATT Fitzpatrick will take a one-shot lead into the weekend at the WGC-HSBC Champions as he seeks the victory that will extend his winning streak over the first four years of his career to a win in every season.

But he will have World No. 2 Rory McIlroy breathing down his neck at Shanghai’s Sheshan International Golf Club.

Both players carded rounds of 67 in the second round, with Fitzpatrick moving to 11-under and leading the way by one from his 2016 Ryder Cup team-mate.

The 25-year-old is looking to extend his impressive record of having won every year since he graduated from European Tour Qualifying School in 2014.

The Hallamshire GC member, who won the US Amateur in 2013 – the first English winner since Harold Hilton in 1911 – has four second places on the 2019 Race to Dubai.

Matthew Fitzpatrick, who has added the invaluable experience of Billy Foster as his caddy in 2019, said: “The back nine, I putted fantastic, as good as I’ve putted all year.

“The rough is tough. The greens are firm – they are slopy as well. Today was definitely difficult.

“It’s where you want to be, at the top after two rounds. Obviously better to be there for four, but it’s a good start to the week.

“Getting a little bit more comfortable with my game than last week, so hopefully carry on over the weekend.

“It’s so important to the fairways here, because you miss them, you’ve either got a terrible lie and hacking out, or you’ve got a good lie and getting a flyer.

“It’s a big key to hitting fairways around here and if you can keep doing it, you’ll give yourself more chances.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be in this position a few times already this year – a little bit different being a WGC.

“It means a little bit more to everyone. Still the same plan. Still trying to hit fairways and greens, and really that’s the key around here is if you keep it out of the rough, you’ve got a good chance.”

A victory on Sunday would be his first in a World Golf Championships event and represent another milestone in the Yorkshire ace’s career.

McIlroy has finished second seven times since his last European Tour victory at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2016.

Rory was happy not to be playing catch up heading into the weekend as he tries to add the HSBC Champions to the 2014 WGC Bridgestone Invitational he won at Firestone, and the WGC Cadillac Matchplay title he won at San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park, in 2015.

McIlroy said: “Delighted with the first two rounds. To put myself right in contention going into the weekend is something that I wanted to do.

“It’s something that I haven’t done a lot of over the last few weeks. I’ve sort of had bad starts and then clawed my way back into a good position at the end but to be right in the tournament after two days, I’m excited.”

“I think my short game has been really good, which takes the pressure off your long game.

I can be a little more free with my long game, go at a few more pins and be a little more aggressive. And because of that, I’m hitting it closer and giving myself plenty of chances for birdies.

“If I do miss, I’ve got my short game to ball back on and rely on and I’ve been able to get the ball up-and-down very well the last few months.

“All of that combined with the second shots, and confidence if I do miss a green, that’s been a key to shooting some of these low scores.”

Defending champion Xander Schauffele, South Korean Sungjae Im and Australian Adam Scott were then at nine-under, a shot clear of local hero Li Haotong and Frenchman Victor Perez, who won the Foshan Open in China on the European Challenge Tour, a year ago.

Schauffele, who has been feeling poorly, is not giving up on his title.

The American said: “I’ve been preparing all year, and I’ve looked forward to coming back here all year. I’m not going to let the flu get my hopes down.”

South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen was at seven-under, one clear of Austrian Matthias Schwab and England’s Paul Waring.

Oosthuizen will be keen to finish off a good third round before South Africa tackle England in the Rugby World Cup final in Japan, which kicks off at 9am UK time.

•For live scoring from the HSBC Champions third round click here.

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Li Haotong overcame an indifferent spell on the European Tour to become the first Chinese player to lead a WGC in the HSBC Champions. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

LI Haotong carded a brilliant 64 to thrill the home crowds and open up a one-shot lead after the first round of the WGC-HSBC Champions.

The World No. 59 announced himself to the world with a top 10 at Sheshan International Golf Club in 2015, and since then has gone on to claim two European Tour wins.

Li made seven birdies and an eagle as he got to eight-under in the first round in Shanghai, becoming the first Chinese player to lead a World Golf Championships event after the opening round.

Li said: “Today is a pretty good start and good beginning. Obviously it would be a great joy for Chinese golfers, and Chinese golf fans, to have a Chinese player winning a WGC-HSBC Champions here in China.

“But for the next three days, anything could happen. So I don’t want to think too much about it.

“I just want to focus and concentrate on the upcoming three days because anything can happen. I just wanted to do a good job to keep this momentum going for the next three days.

“I don’t feel quite well with my status and my momentum because in the previous tournament, I wasn’t really playing that well.

“But I never expected today, that I had such a great round in day one,” added Li, who won the 2016 Volvo China Open, in Beijing.

Li entered the week 23rd on the Race to Dubai rankings but a first WGC victory would put him right into the mix to be crowned Europe’s No. 1 heading into the final three Rolex Series events of the season

Frenchman Victor Perez was making his WGC debut after claiming a maiden European Tour victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last month.

And he carded two eagles en route to a 65 which left him in second place.

Perez has been living for a couple of years in Dundee with his student girlfriend, which explained his love for links golf after the rookie’s St Andrews win last month.

But he also has form in China on the European Challenge Tour winning last year’s Foshan Open.

Perez said: “It was a great day for me. Very pleased with how I played. I think I did a lot of things well and I’m obviously in a great position.

“Obviously the end of the year has been going quite well since the win at Dunhill, added the 27-year-old, who represented France in the Eisenhower Trophy at the 2014 World Amateur Team Championship, in Japan.

“A couple of good weeks in Italy and France. It can always be better, but after win, you could go either way.

“You could really ride it or have a little bit of a downfall from it. I did well, coming in here with a lot of confidence and the course suits me fairly well.

“It’s long. The greens are going to be firm this week and obviously having JP helped a lot, as well.”

His caddy JP Fitzgerald knows the Shenzen course well from his days on Rory McIlroy’s bag.

Sheffield’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, defending champion Xander Schauffele, Australian Adam Scott and South Korea’s Sungjae Im were at six-under, a shot clear of World No. 2 McIlroy, Austrian Matthias Schwab and Canadian Corey Conners

McIlroy came home in 31 to fly up the leaderboard, with Schwab birdieing four of his last five in a late move of his own.

McIlroy, who has finished in the top six five times in seven visits, has a chance to close the gap on World No. 1 with Brooks Koepka absent this week.

“I think it’s momentum,” said McIlroy. “Sometimes you feel it a little more than other times and definitely got some momentum on that back nine today, and tried to sort of ride that momentum to the very end.

“It would have been nice to pick up one more – had a good chance for birdie – but after the start, to shoot five under, I’m not complaining.

“Looking at the leaderboard and looking at the scores that have been shot, it definitely was scorable,” said McIlroy, who won two WGC titles from 2014-15, but has not won another since, or a Major in the past five years.

“There was no wind, so it was a day to take advantage of the conditions. It looks like the conditions are going to stay that way for the next few days.

“But it’s nice, the last few tournaments I’ve played, I’ve had a bad opening round and then been trying to play catch up” said the 30-year-old from Northern Ireland.

“At least now, I’m right in the thick of things from the start, which is a better place to be.”

South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen made the 28th hole-in-one of the season on the sixth as he got to four-under alongside Mexican Abraham Ancer, Yorkshire’s Danny Willett and Zhang Xinjun, the other Chinese player in the top 10.

•For live scoring in the WGC-HSBC Champions click here.

Li Haotong walks down the 18th hole with Phil Mickelson at Sheshan International Golf Club. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

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Li Haotong, Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter with members of the CGA-HSBC China Junior Golf Program. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

SOME of China’s leading young golfers got some first-class tips from the world’s best Tour players, including Rory McIlroy and HSBC Champions’ defending champion Xander Schauffele, in Shanghai.

Schauffele joined World No. 2 McIlroy, Hampshire’s US Open winner Justin Rose, and Woburn’s Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter met stars of the CGA-HSBC China Junior Golf Program.

And local hero Li Haotong surprised some of China’s most promising young players at the driving range at the first practice day of the World Golf Championship tournament.

Celebrating 15 years of world-class golf in Shanghai, the event has brought some of the game’s biggest stars to China.

And the “best golf lessons ever” were given to five junior players as a reward for showing outstanding progress during the junior program’s 2019 season.

The unique range clinic served as the ideal warm-up for later in the week, when the aforementioned stars tackle the testing Sheshan International Golf Club at the final World Golf Championships event on the 2019 Race to Dubai.

Li, a graduate of the CGA-HSBC China Junior Golf Program, said: “When the first HSBC-Champions took place in 2005, I was just nine years old.

“In that time, it has been incredible to be part of a huge rise in interest in golf in China,” said Li.

“I am extremely proud to see the growth of the game I love and to see so many kids coming through.

“It was a privilege to connect with some of the future stars of Chinese golf today, and hopefully help set them off on their own golfing journeys.”

McIlroy, who has finished in the top five on three previous occasions, came through the Faldo Junior Series more than a decade ago.

The Northern Ireland star who has been unable to add to his tally of four Majors since his last in 2014, said: “Whenever you play WGC-HSBC Champions you feel like the eyes of the entire country are on you.

“It’s great to compete in front of this growing and energetic audience of golf fans who are extremely knowledgeable and committed to the game.

“All the work that has been done to support golf in the country is certainly paying off, both in the growth of the fanbase and the talented young golfers we met today.”

Schauffele, an American whose Chinese-speaking mother witnessed his victory in Shanghai last year, said: “WGC-HSBC Champions will always hold a special place in my heart having won last year in front of my family.

“It’s great to be back and to be able to meet some of these young Chinese stars. Thanks to the work done to encourage the game here in China there is now a really strong pool of talented players across the country.

“I’m sure that some of the kids I met today will be winning global tournaments before we know it,” added Schuaffele.

•For tee times at this weeks HSBC Champions click here.

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