Justin Rose wins in Turkey; reclaims World No.1 spot
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Justin Rose reclaimed the World No.1 spot by successfully defending his Turkish Airlines Open title in a playoff against Haotong Li.
Justin Rose became the first player to successfully defend a Rolex Series event by triumphing on the first play off hole during a dramatic final day at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort.
“It’s taken me 20 years to defend a title, I guess, so that’s great,” he said.
But even Rose even admitted he felt sorry and couldn’t help rooting for Li during the final round.
“Obviously you want to win the tournament and I want to win it at all costs, but I couldn’t help but be rooting for him, as well, and I couldn’t help be feeling really bad for him on 18,” Rose said. “It did get tense for both of us coming down the stretch. It was a really good battle. He eagled 15 and I nipped ahead at 16. 17 and 18, obviously I would love to play those again but they are tricky holes and a lot of shadows around the cup. Very tough to judgment the speed and very tough to read the last couple greens.”
Rose had begun his final round three shots behind Li, but by the 15th tee the Englishman led by two with four to play.
It was Li who would then regain a share with an eagle on 15, before Rose pushed ahead once more with a birdie on the next.
Rose then three-putted from 45 feet at the penultimate hole and the pair were level once again, and it was Li who seemingly had the advantage on the 18th hole thanks to finding the green in two.
However, both men missed from under 6 feet for par on the final hole to guarantee a play-off, and the Chinese player then lost his composure on the green on the first extra hole. In the end, a par was good enough for Rose to win the title on the first hole of sudden death.
“I’ve had some pressure-packed Sundays of late, dare I say, coming away with consolation prizes in a way. World Number One after losing in a play-off, finishing fourth but winning the FedExCup. I was keenly aware I wanted to get back in the winner’s circle and it was good to get it done today.
“The fun thing is I still feel like there’s improvement to be had and that’s what I’m looking for. I’m really looking forward to the off-season to still work at a few things and still get better. I think that’s the exciting part, at 38, I still feel like there is improvement to be achieved.
“More Majors, that’s what I’m interested in, trying to chase down as many as I can.”
Adrian Otaegui and Thomas Detry finished tied for third two shots behind the leaders, with Martin Kaymer and Lucas Bjerregaard a shot further back on 14-under.
Justin Rose: WITB
Driver
TaylorMade M3 460 (8.5 degrees); Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 60TX
3 Wood
TaylorMade M4 (15 degrees); Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80TX
5 Wood
TaylorMade M3 (19 degrees); Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80TX
Irons
TaylorMade P-790 (4 iron), TaylorMade P-730 Rose Proto (5-9 iron); Shafts: KBS Tour C-Taper 125 S+
Wedges
TaylorMade Milled Grind (48, 52 and 56), TaylorMade Hi-Toe (60 degrees); Shafts: KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135X
Putter
TaylorMade TP Red Ardmore 2
Golf Ball
TaylorMade TP5
