Rose reaches golf pinnacle

Philadelphia – A “delighted” Justin Rose of Britain assured the world No 1 ranking for the first time in his career on Monday with a solo runner-up finish at the PGA BMW Championship.

The 38-year-old Englishman fired a three-under-par 67 in the final round at Aronimink Golf Club to match American Keegan Bradley atop the leaderboard at 20-under 260 for 72 holes.

Fourth-ranked Rose, who lipped out a 15-foot par putt on the 18th, needed a victory or a solo second-place finish behind anyone but American Justin Thomas to claim the No 1 ranking.

But Rose settled for second-best on the day by making a bogey to Bradley’s par on the first playoff hole, the par-four 18th.

Rose was still excited at his ranking feat despite the defeat.

“Delighted to be world number one. It’s boyhood dreams,” Rose said. –