World No. 1 Dustin Johnson took a six-shot lead into the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai on Sunday. He was gunning for his third World Golf Championship title of the year and sixth of his career. But DJ, who had made 22 birdies in 54 holes, faltered in windy conditions and ballooned to a 77 in the final round.
Meanwhile, Olympic gold medal winner Justin Rose, who thought he was playing for second when the day began, came from eight shots off the lead to claim the title. It was the third-largest final-round comeback in PGA Tour history, reported PGATOUR.com.
“It’s unbelievable,” Rose said.
The Englishman shot a 5-under 67 in the challenging conditions, including a 31 on the final 9 with dramatic birdies on 16 and 17 that put him ahead to stay.
“We all know the position DJ was in,” Rose added, “and I think today was the kind of day that the leader probably didn’t want. Well, you want a six-shot lead any time, but this is the kind of day where that kind of swing is possible.”
Rose recorded his eighth victory on the PGA Tour and jumped to No. 6 in the world rankings. Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Henrik Stenson tied for second.
Rose plays with TaylorMade equipment. In Shanghai he switched putters, replacing his TP Red Chaska with a TP Red Ardmore 2. Obviously, that change worked out very well. Here’s a look at his bag.
Justin Rose’s Clubs
Driver: TaylorMade M1 2017 (9.5 degrees) with TPT Golf shaft
3-Wood: TaylorMade M2 2016 (15 degrees) with Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei CK Pro Orange 80TX shaft
5-Wood: TaylorMade M1 2016 (19 degrees) with Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei CK Pro Orange 80TX shaft
Irons:TaylorMade P790 (4-Iron) with KBS Tour C-Taper 130X shaft
TaylorMade P730 “Rose Proto” (5-Iron─PW) with KBS Tour C-Taper 130X shafts
Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind (52-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-10SB degrees) with KBS Tour Hi-Rev 2.0 135X shafts
Putter: TaylorMade TP Red Ardmore 2
Ball: TaylorMade TP5
Neil Sagebiel
Latest posts by Neil Sagebiel (see all)
- Playing Other Sports Can Help Improve Your Golf Game - November 17, 2018
- VIDEO GOLF INSTRUCTION: Dave Pelz on Hitting Wedge Shots in the Wind - October 5, 2018
- 2018 Ryder Cup: Team USA Still Lacks Team Mindset - October 1, 2018
