Player of the day: Li Haotong
Who else? The 22-year-old’s poise and panache in the face of such scrutiny was a sight to behold. As Rory McIlroy went for the calculated risk from his second shot from the 18th fairway and brilliantly found the green, you sensed this was where Li would win it or lose it. He opted for safety with his second shot from the rough to leave himself a chip shot to the green. He landed it beautifully about 8ft from the hole, and kept his nerve to sink it.
Shot of the day: Rory McIlroy
It’s better to be lucky than good, they say, and never more so was this evidenced than at 17. Haotong Li’s tee shot cannoned off a tree and landed nicely on the fairway, while McIlroy’s effort landed well but rolled back and next to the base of a tree trunk. He nearly holed for a birdie that would have tied the score with his second, but his brilliant chip fell six inches shy of the hole.
Best dressed: Rafa Cabrera Bello
There’s been a dashing display of colour on show this week, with the standard set by the field on a pristinely observed Pink Friday. Carbrera Bello opted for a more daring combination yesterday of bright white trousers and a piercing blue polo splashed with white dots, complete with a yellow Titleist cap in Spanish yellow. Almost as dazzling as his closing -16 under which gave him a share of fifth.
Tweet of the day:
Delighted with 5th this week! Putter was on pretty filthy form all week…
Thank you everyone for the lovely messages. What a win for @haotong_li clutch putting! https://t.co/semIlJPxJp
— Chris Paisley (@ChrisPaisley86) January 28, 2018