Power Play

Long-hitting Dustin Johnson put in a superb final round to clinch his first WGC-HSBC Champions victory at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai

Dustin Johnson held off the challenge of Ian Poulter to win his first title on Asian soil

Dustin Johnson survived a final round European assault to claim the WGC-HSBC Champions after a fascinating finish in Shanghai early last month.

The American recovered superbly from seeing his overnight three-shot lead wiped out in the first two holes with a decisive scoring burst – playing the last six holes in five-under par at Sheshan International to card a closing 66 and finish 24-under, three ahead of defending champion Ian Poulter.

All three members of the final group shot 66, meaning Poulter finished one ahead of Ryder Cup team-mate Graeme McDowell, with another player responsible for the “Miracle at Medinah”, Spain's Sergio Garcia, two shots behind in fourth after a closing 63.

Johnson began the final round three shots clear of Poulter but three-putted the opening hole as the Englishman birdied the first and second, while McDowell birdied the first three to share the lead with Poulter.

Birdies on the eighth and ninth got Johnson back into a share of the lead and although Poulter edged in front with a birdie on the 12th, Johnson birdied the 13th and matched Poulter's birdie on the 14th to set up a grandstand finish.

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Written by The Editors

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