McIlroy defeats title defender Schauffele in China after play-off

Rory McIlroy (R) shakes hands with Xander Schauffele after finishing the WGC-HSBC Champions play-off third round leaderboard (McIlroy wins after first play-off hole) -19 * R McIlroy (NI), X Schauffele (US); – 17 L Oosthuizen (SA); -15 M Schwab (Swi), V Perez (Fra), A Ancer (Mex); -14 M Fitzpatrick (Eng) Selected others: -12 P Waring (Eng); -10 T Hatton (Eng); -5 J Rose (Eng) Full scoreboard

Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland won the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai after a play-off.

The 30-year-old beat defender Xander Schauffele after the pair was after four laps at 19 under par. -off with the four-time big champion.

In the first play-off hole, Mcilroy's little bird was enough to secure his fourth title of the year after the American could only make par.

McIlroy, who went bogey-free over the last two rounds, only par on the 18th in round four after a bad ride and a 25-footer missed to achieve an outright victory over Sheshan International.

The American Schauffele, who would be the first player to retain the title if he had won, started the day two shots back, but a final round six-under 66 brought him to the world number level two.

The fourth round 69 of the South African Louis Oosthuizen was enough to give him third place, two shots behind the leaders.

Matthew Fitzpatrick from England, who led after the second round, had a mixed Sunday with an eagle, two birdies and three bogeys to finish at 14 under and fifth on the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Victor Perez, Matthias Schwab and Abraham Ancer finished in fourth place in 15th place.

More to follow.