Justin Rose wins again to slash Fleetwood’s Race To Dubai lead
England’s Justin Rose insists he will resist the temptation to change his schedule despite storming ..
England’s Justin Rose insists he will resist the temptation to change his schedule despite storming into contention for the Race To Dubai with back-to-back European Tour titles.
Rose followed up last week’s win at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai with a one-shot victory at the Turkish Airlines Open on Sunday that moved him just 135,000 points behind Race To Dubai leader Tommy Fleetwood with two events of the season remaining.
He could give himself a better chance of catching Fleetwood by joining him in playing the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa this week but intends to stick to his original plan and bid to overhaul his compatriot in the final tournament, the DP World Tour Championship, in Dubai later this month.
Read more: Justin Rose: I'll pip Tommy Fleetwood to $1.25m prize
“It definitely gives me a dilemma,” said Olympic champion Rose. “I think I’m going to stick to my guns and the schedule that I had laid out. Next week, even though I’m not playing, is a really important one for me. I’m going to catch up with my coaches, my physio, get the body feeling good and come back to Dubai and give myself the best possible chance.”
Rose birdied four of his last six holes, including the 18th, in a round of 65 to finish on 18 under par and pip Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts and South African Dylan Frittelli, who also made back-nine charges but finished tied for second.
Three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington was one shot further back in fourth, while Fleetwood was tied for 23rd on eight under.
“To roll some form immediately into another tournament is wonderful,” added Rose, who previously won the European Tour oder of merit in 2007.
“Today I think the most exciting thing for me was going head to head with Nicolas, and seeing Dylan make his birdie at 18, I knew what the situation was. To hit shots when you really have to on the last hole is very rewarding.”
Read more: Sam Torrance: Rose blooming in time for Race To Dubai tilt