Rose could regain top spot from Koepka

London:englishman Justin Rose is projected to regain the world No 1 ranking by the narrowest of margins from Brooks Koepka as the pair continue to trade the top spot in golf.

The world ranking numbercrunchers suggested on Saturday that Koepka needed to finish no worse than a two-way tie for 11th at the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan to remain on top.

The American, however, finished 12th. One lousy shot better and he would have tied for 10th and remained number one.

The updated rankings are projected to have Rose on 10.0344 points, and Koepka on 10.0332 points. Rose took the week off, while Koepka was defending his title in Miyazaki.

ANCER ROMPS TO EASY WIN IN AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY: Mexico’s Abraham Ancer romped to a five-shot victory at the Australian Open on Sunday, holding his nerve to win only his second professional golf tournament.

The world No 96, who already has two top-five finishes on the US PGA Tour this season, saw overnight challengers including Americans Matt Kuchar and Keegan Bradley fade away and was never seriously threatened.

Australian Dimitrios Papadatos, who has been playing on the Challenge Tour in Europe, gave it his best shot with a five-underpar 67 to try and reel him in, but it was too little too late and he had to settle for second best.

Australian Jake Mcleod, who won the NSW Open last week, hit one of the best rounds of the day (66) to finish third.