RORY HAS THE EXTRA FACTOR
McIlroy already the best says fallen play-off foe
RORY McILROY edged closer to world No.1 Brooks Koepka with WGC-HSBC-Champions victory – only to then be told he’s already the best on the planet.
The 30-year-old, second in the world, beat defending champion Xander Schauffele in a play-off in Shanghai for his fourth win of the year.
While the pair went down the par-five 18th again, Scot Robert MacIntyre eagled it for a 67 and nine-under 279 as his debut WGC event ended in a share of 17th and £86,000.
Koepka last month dismissed the idea of a rivalry with McIlroy because the Northern Irishman has not won a Major since 2014.
But Schauffele, who watched his rival birdie the first extra hole, said: “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.”
McIlroy won his third WGC title – the first European to do so – by playing 39 holes without dropping a shot, finishing on 19-under 269 at Sheshan International thanks to a closing 68.
Schauffele had birdied the 72nd hole for a 66 to force a play-off in which the four-time Major winner boomed a drive down the fairway then a four-iron to 25 feet. The American said: “He’s the best driver in our game so if I was a betting man I probably would have bet on him if we had to play the hole over and over again.” Despite Koepka being on top of the world, McIlroy was voted PGA Player of the Year by fellow pros in September. He said: “I’m trying to chase him down. I’m still a little behind but I’m getting there. This win
definitely helps and if I can get another win by the end of the year I’ll be feeling pretty good heading into 2020.
“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 one next year.”
McIlroy can pile pressure on Koepka, who is out with a knee injury, by winning the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai later this month.
He said: “I’ve still got one more tournament left this year at a place where I’ve had some success. I want to try to finish the year on a high note.”
Louis Oosthuizen (66) was third, two off the play-off pair.