Justin Rose defends title in Turkey and returns to world No.1

Justin Rose has returned to the top of the golf world rankings after winning the Turkish Airlines Open in a dramatic play-off yesterday against Li Haotong.

The 38-year-old beat China’s Li in Antalya to become the first player to defend a Rolex Series title. This marks the first time in his career that he has won a tournament two years in succession.

Now back as the world’s No.1 golfer, Rose has also moved to third in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings. Italy’s Francesco Molinari leads English duo Tommy Fleetwood and Rose with two European Tour events remaining in the 2018 season.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

After his win in Turkey, Rose said: “It’s taken me 20 years to defend a title... so that’s great. I’ve had some pressure-packed Sundays of late... coming away with consolation prizes in a way.”

Since becoming world No.1 after losing in a play-off and finishing fourth but winning the FedExCup, he said he was keen to “get back in the winner’s circle”.

Rose said there were still things he could do better. “The fun thing is I still feel like there’s improvement to be had and that’s what I’m looking for,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to the off-season.

“More Majors, that’s what I’m interested in, trying to chase down as many as I can.”

Europe’s top players will head next to South Africa for the Nedbank Golf Challenge (8-11 November) before the season finale in Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship (15-18 November).