Rose wins Hong Kong Open

Justin Rose won his first European Tour title in 15 months Sunday, warding off a stubborn challenge from Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark to win the Hong Kong Open by one shot.

The Englishman, who started the final round even with Bjerregaard at 15 under, carded an impressive two-under 68 for a 17-under 263 to win his eighth career title on the European Tour.

“I’m very happy to get the job done,” said Rose, the 2013 US Open champion whose last European Tour victory came at the 2014 Scottish Open.

Bjerregaard’s shot at his first title faltered at the 14th hole at the Hong Kong Golf Club when he made a double-bogey and his one-stroke lead over Rose become a onestroke deficit.

Rose, 31, went two shots ahead at the 16th and despite a bogey at the final hole, only his third all week, it was enough to ensure victory as the 24-year-old Bjerregaard failed to force a playoff and finished with 69 for a 16-under 264.

LPGA: Lydia Ko ran away with the LPGA Taiwan Championship to regain the No. 1 spot in the world ranking.

The 18-year-old New Zealander holed a 30-yard pitch for eagle on the par-5 12th and finished with a 7-under 65 in sunny, breezy conditions at Miramar for a ninestroke victory.

Ko took the top spot in the world from South Korea’s Inbee Park with her fifth LPGA Tour victory of the season.

PGA: Smylie Kaufman won the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas in his fifth PGA Tour start, shooting a 10-under 61.