Justin Rose reclaimed the world’s top ranking after surviving a playoff to defend the Turkish Airlines Open against China’s Haotong Li.
While both missed putts on the 72nd hole to win the event in regulation, Li’s tournament will be remembered for the three-putt from 10 feet on the first playoff hole. With Rose standing by on the side of the green, Li hit his birdie bid three feet past the hole and then missed the come-backer to extend the playoff.
“My heart’s with Haotong. My head is obviously relieved that that’s over,” Rose said. “I feel for Haotong. He was clutch. I mean, those drivers he was hitting down the stretch. My plan was to keep hitting 5-wood in play, keep hitting 5-iron into this green, and I figured if he keeps hitting driver in that 15-yard gap between bunker and water, all credit to him.”
Rose’s playoff par earned him his second worldwide win of 2018 and a successful title defense at the Turkish Airlines Open. The Englishman regained the coveted No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings after a brief one-week stint earlier this spring.
“Obviously it’s nice to get there, and it’s nice to get back there. Maybe it’s actually even sweeter to get back there,” Rose said. “I was pretty aware of my playoff record, hasn’t been that great. So this was one I definitely wanted to win.”
Justin Rose. Since August 2017.
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Win ?Officially the world's best golfer. pic.twitter.com/UbEf1McpHf
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 4, 2018
