By Staff and Wire Reports of Global Golf Post

Just when it seems golf is predictable, the WGC-HSBC Champions happens.

Dustin Johnson, the No. 1-ranked player in the world, started the final round with a six-stroke lead, with Justin Rose eight shots behind him.

On a difficult Sunday, Rose played brilliantly, making five birdies on the closing nine to overtake Johnson, whose game went suddenly dull, leading to a closing 77. Johnson lost his tee shot on the second hole after an opening bogey and never found the groove that pushed him to 17 under par through 54 holes. Rose trailed Johnson by six going to the back nine.

“My back nine was just amazing today,” Rose said. “It was one of the best back nines I’ve played in a long, long time, and to do it at the right time was amazing. I guess everything fell into place; I needed a lot of things to go my way, including my good play but also I needed a little bit of help from DJ and on a day like today, it was easy for a leader to make some mistakes.

It was a stunning Sunday collapse for Johnson, who failed to make a birdie in the final round.

“It was tough conditions (Sunday),” Johnson said. “Felt like I actually drove it pretty well, other than the drive on (No.) 2, which I hit a good shot. I don’t even know what happened. It just came up a little bit short. I thought I hit it perfect. But still ended up making a good 6.

“And even making the turn obviously, I’m 2 over, which is fine. I know I’ve got to just play solid on the back nine. I didn’t make any putts. I felt like I rolled it good. Just nothing was going in the hole.”

Rose may have summed it up perfectly with this comment:

“It’s the kind of day you just don’t expect.” Johnson finished at 12 under, tied for second with Henrik Stenson and Brooks Koepka.

Driver: TaylorMade M1 2017 (9.5 degrees)
Shaft: TPT (Thin Ply Technology)

3 wood: TaylorMade M2 2016 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Orange 80TX

5 wood: TaylorMade M1 2016 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Orange 80TX

Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4 iron), TaylorMade P-730 “Rose Proto” (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper 125S+

Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind (52-09SB, 56-12SB and 60-10SB)
Shafts: KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135X

Putter: TaylorMade TP Red Ardmore 2, Double-bend hosel

Golf Ball: TaylorMade TP5

Republished with permission from Global Golf Post.