Justin Rose secured the first title defence of his career to jump up to third in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai Rankings and back to the summit of the Official World Golf Ranking after holding his nerve to defeat Haotong Li in a dramatic play-off at the Turkish Airlines Open.
The Englishman, who also became the first player to successfully defend a Rolex Series title, started the final round three shots behind Li but led by two with four to play as he produced another solid display of the kind of golf that had helped him record six top ten finishes in the 2018 Race to Dubai before arriving in Turkey.
An outstanding eagle on the 15th drew Li back level but Rose immediately replied with a birdie on the 16th to regain the lead at Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort. A couple of bogeys coming home left both men tied at 17 under par after 72 holes before Li’s three-putt on the first trip back up the 18th handed Rose his 12th European Tour victory. -----
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