McIlroy out to ‘end year on high’ after Shanghai victory

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy has said he hopes to end his year on a high, after winning the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

The world number two edged out American defending champion Xander Schauffele at the first extra hole in a play-off, after they both finished on 19 under at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

The victory gives McIlroy his 27th career title, his third win in a World Golf Championships event, his fourth win of 2019, and the first in his defence of the FedEX Cup title.

It also lifted him to the top of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings and to fifth in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings.

The Co Down man now hopes to round off 2019 with success on the European circuit’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai later this month.

“I think this win gets me to number one in the FedEx Cup and that’s nice going into the break,” McIlroy said.

“I’m going to take two months off after I play in Dubai in a couple of weeks’ time.

“I am looking forward to that break, but I have still got one tournament left this year at a place where I’ve had some success.

“I want to finish the year on a high note.”