WGC-HSBC Champions: Power ranking the top 10 at Sheshan

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 18: Edoardo Molinari of Italy exchanges clubs with his caddie on the 12th hole during round one of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 18, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 29: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off on the 18th hole during day three of the WGC – HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on October 29, 2016 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

Much has been made of Rory McIlroy’s “struggles” this year, but even one of his worst seasons would be a career year for most of the Tour.

He’s got a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, three runner-ups and nine total top-10s in 22 starts. He’s missed just four cuts and none since June.

McIlroy should also be invigorated from helping Europe to a Ryder Cup victory as well as rested from all that time off since the event.

McIlroy appears destined to win the WGC-HSBC Champions one of these years. His results at Sheshan are 4-5-T4-T11-T4 dating to 2009. His cumulative score in those five starts is 66-under. Wow.

He finished first on Tour last year in driving distance and is top 10 in proximity from 75-150 yards. He’s also 46th in proximity from the rough, so as long he’s not dunking balls in the water, he can win with his usual aerial assault.

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