FILE PHOTO – Golf – European Tour – British Masters – Walton Heath Golf Club, Walton-on-the-Hill, Britain – October 14, 2018 England’s Justin Rose during the final round Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
November 4, 2018
(Reuters) – England’s Justin Rose regained the world number one spot after successfully defending his Turkish Airlines Open title, overcoming China’s Li Haotong in a playoff on Sunday.
Rose carded five birdies in a typically consistent display to take a one-shot advantage after 16 holes in the final round at the Antalya event but bogeyed the 17th hole to slip to a share of the lead with overnight leader Li.
Two lackluster putts on the 18th from both Li and Rose meant they both finished at 17-under-par after 72 holes.
A Li three-putt on their return to the 18th hole for the playoff handed Rose the victory that moves him above American Brooks Koepka at the top of the world rankings.
Belgian Thomas Detry and Spaniard Adrian Otaegui both finished with rounds of 65 to share third on 15-under.
Dane Lucas Bjerregaard and German Martin Kaymer ended the tournament at 14-under, a shot clear English pair Tommy Fleetwood and Danny Willett, and another Dane, Thorbjorn Olesen.
(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)
