Xander Schauffele nearly coughed and sneezed his way to a successful title defense at the WGC-HSBC Champions.
Schauffele has been battling flu-like symptoms all week in China, eschewing the pro-am and any practice rounds to focus on resting up for the tournament itself. Those factors didn't slow him down as he played his way into contention through 54 holes, nor during the final round when five front-nine birdies drew him within reach of Rory McIlroy.
While last year Schauffele birdied the final two holes of regulation and the first of a playoff to edge Tony Finau, this year overtime didn't go his way as it was McIlroy who made birdie on the first playoff hole to take the trophy from the defending champ.