GOLF:LEE WESTWOOD narrowly failed to begin life as world number one in winning style when Italian Francesco Molinari pipped him to the HSBC Champions tournament yesterday after a thrilling final-round shootout.
Second place was still enough for the Englishman to tighten his grip on top spot with his three rivals Tiger Woods (tied sixth), defending champion Phil Mickelson (tied 41st) and Martin Kaymer (tied 30th) finishing way off the pace.
The 37-year-old Westwood, playing in his first tournament since a calf injury forced him into a break four weeks ago, pushed Molinari all the way but missed an eagle putt on the last that would have forced a play-off.
Molinari, who turns 28 today, held his nerve on the final hole to card a 67 and a combined 19-under-par total of 269 to land his second European tour title. Westwood’s solid play all week enabled him to finish a massive 11 shots clear of Woods, whose 281-week reign as top dog he ended, and 19 better than Mickelson.
“Eighteen-under-par and nine shots clear of third is never too bad,” said Westwood, while Woods was also in upbeat mood despite missing a five-footer on the 18th in his closing four-under 68. “Overall I felt like I’ve been hitting it well and it’s just a matter of being patient,” the American said.
Woods destroyed Molinari 4 and 3 in their Ryder Cup singles match last month but the Italian was streets ahead of the 14-times major winner on the tough Sheshan layout.
“It was a great day of golf for everyone and for the two of us, me and Lee,” said Molinari, who partnered his brother Edoardo to win the World Cup at Mission Hills in 2009.
“I’m obviously amazed at the way I played. It was not easy to have the number one player in the world trailing you by one shot. I think the turning point was definitely on the 16th hole and the second shot I hit there. It put Lee under pressure and his chip was already difficult,” added Molinari junior.
Westwood and Molinari, playing with England’s Luke Donald in the final group, put on a show for the packed galleries, matching one another shot-for-shot as the sun set after a late start due to a thick morning fog-smog mix. Donald missed out on securing third place for himself when he missed a short birdie putt at the last and fell into a tie with Ramsay. The 32-year-old never really found his rhythm, posting a 73 that included three bogeys on the front nine. Donald had dropped just one shot over his previous 54 holes.
Ramsay signed for a 71 that featured three birdies and two bogeys to also end nine-under, while Rory McIlroy finished fifth on eight-under after completing a fine 67.
Woods climbed into a share of sixth with Paul Casey, Ernie Els, Richard Green, Retief Goosen, Peter Hanson and Fredrik Andersson Hed on seven under par following a 68 that saw the former world number one card seven birdies but three bogeys.
Pádraig Harrington finished on five under after a round of 73 while Graeme McDowell closed with a 69 but that was only good enough for one under par.
