Molinari holds off Westwood for win
Francesco Molinari claimed his second European Tour title after the Italian won the HSBC Champions by one stroke from Lee Westwood.
Molinari carded a final round of 67 at Sheshan International GC to finish 19 under par and win a tournament he led from start to finish.
Westwood also shot a 67 to consolidate his position as world number one, ending the day 18 under par, while Luke Donald and Richie Ramsay shared third, a distant 10 shots back from the winner on nine under par.
Molinari proved a worthy winner, hardly giving Westwood an opening over the final 18 holes and proving equal to anything the Worksop golfer could offer having established his eventual winning margin at the end of the first round.
Westwood, though, will be greatly encouraged by the quality of his game following a lay-off due to calf and ankle injuries.
Donald, meanwhile, 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.
Playing in the final group, 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.
Tiger 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.
