Justin Rose makes it back to back wins at Turkish Airlines Open

Justin Rose made it back-to-back wins for the first time in his professional career, following up his WGC HSBC-Champions victory last week with another at the Turkish Airlines Open. 

Justin Rose has narrowed the gap between him and Tommy Fleetwood at the top of the Race to Dubai with his second victory in the space of two weeks. 

Rose was tied at the top in a battle with second-round leader and playing partner Nicolas Colsaerts as they approached the 72nd hole, with both setting up excellent birdie chances.

However, while Rose made his 10 foot putt, Colsaerts was unable to see in his shorter effort and ended up tied for second place with early clubhouse leader Dylan Frittelli on 17 under.

Rose made just one bogey during his six-under-par 65, birdieing four of his last seven holes to best the rest of the field by a single shot.

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The Englishman’s second win in two weeks moves him within touching distance of Tommy Fleetwood at the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings, over taking Masters Champion Sergio Garcia’s spot in second place. Fleetwood has 4,114,088 points, Rose has 3,979,250, and Garcia has 3,184,582

“This is the first time I’ve gone back-to-back,” Rose said. “It’s like a bus, you wait ages for one and then two turn up at once”

“I like achieving new firsts,” he added. “But the Race to Dubai is still in Tommy’s hands. I just know I need to go and play well in Dubai. That’s been my mentality from the outset, and it’s not going to change. But it’s exciting to be within touching distance.”

Race to Dubai leader Fleetwood finished in a tie for 23rd place, and will be looking to gain his own share of momentum next week at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa as Rose sits out ahead of the final season’s tournament. 

Overnight leaders Shane Lowry and Kiradech Aphibarnrat both had disappointing Sunday’s, with Lowry’s one-over 72 seeing him take a share of eighth place, and Aphibarnrat’s 71 leaving him a tie for 6th with Eddie Pepperell, who recorded his fifth top 10 in six starts. 

WITB: Justin Rose

Driver: TaylorMade 2017 M1, 9.5˚

3-wood: TaylorMade 2016 M2, 15˚

5-wood: TaylorMade 2016 M1, 19˚

Irons: TaylorMade P790 4-iron, TaylorMade P-730 “Rose Proto” (5-PW)

Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind, 52˚, 56˚, 60˚

Putter: TaylorMade TP Red Collection Ardmore 2

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x