Willett loosens McIlroy’s grip on European No. 1

SHANGHAI — Rory McIlroy is facing a fight to retain his Race to Dubai title after a stunning finish at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai left Englishman Danny Willett breathing down his neck. Willett’s 10-under-par 62 Sunday, the lowest round of the week in a world-class field, saw him charge up the leaderboard at Sheshan International Golf Club to finish three strokes behind winner Russell Knox of Scotland. It cut 2014 Race to Dubai champion McIlroy’s lead in the battle to be European No. 1 to just 74,214 points, with Willett set to play one more event than the Northern Irishman. The English world No. 26 can strike a potentially decisive blow later this week across Shanghai when he tees up in the $7 million BMW Masters, which McIlroy is sitting out. There are more than a million points up for grabs for the winner at Lake Malaren when Willett tees up Thursday, a week before the season finale in Dubai. McIlroy shot his best round of the week, a six-under 66, Sunday, but needed a 35-foot birdie putt at the last to take a share of 11th place and keep his nose in front in the standings. Willett said his eyes are firmly fixed on stealing the Race to Dubai crown from the four-time major winner and current world number three. “This could be a very big result for me,” Willett told AFP after his final round at Sheshan. “With Rory not playing next week, I could gain a few more points on him and give us a nice buzz going into the final week into Dubai.” Castro leads by one Roberto Castro was able to finish just six holes of his third round at the rain-lashed Sanderson Farms Championship Sunday before darkness fell but will have a one-stroke lead to defend when the remainder of the tournament is completed Monday. Torrential rain washed out most of the weekend’s play at Country Club of Jackson and players will have to complete their third round early on Monday before going back out for the final 18 holes in the same pairings. Castro, who began the day at 15-under, dropped two shots in his six holes but still has a one-stroke lead over D.J. Trahan and Michael Thompson. — Agencies