The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Rose back on top of world after retaining title in Turkey
Justin Rose will fully celebrate his second spell as world number one after capping an extraordinary run of golf with the first successful title defence of his career in the Turkish Airlines Open.
Rose defeated China’s Haotong Li on the first play-off hole after the pair had finished tied on 17 under par following a nervy finish at the Regnum Carya Resort.
The 38-year-old is now a combined 55 under par for his 12 rounds in the £5.4 million event after finishing third on his debut in 2013, while he also won its precursor – an eight-man matchplay competition – in Antalya in 2012.
Rose spent two weeks as world number one earlier this season after losing out to Keegan Bradley in a play-off for the BMW Championship, but had been determined to get back to the summit in style.
“It’s taken me 20 years to defend a title so that’s great,” admitted Rose, who has won five times and recorded 24 top-10 finishes in his last 31 events.
“Maybe I haven’t won enough tournaments to give myself enough opportunities to defend, but to do it back-to-back is very special.
“I’m sure we’ll retoast getting to number one and this time we have some silverware.
“Last time it was muted because I was still so mad at not winning the tournament, but this time I have that double winning feeling so it might be a bit more fun this time.”
A poor finish to Saturday’s third round had left Rose three behind Li at the start of the day, but a front nine of 33 and a birdie on the 10th was enough for a share of the lead.
The lead changed hands a number of times until Li, who held off Rory McIlroy to win the Dubai Desert Classic in January, three-putted on the final green to leave Rose a putt for the win after a superb bunker shot.
He missed from four feet, though, and the players returned to the 18th for suddendeath.
Rose missed from 15 feet for birdie, but Li amazingly threeputted from just nine feet to gift his opponent the title.