Originating from England, Justin Rose has once again ascended to the world number one position after securing victory at the Turkish Airlines Open. This achievement unfolded on Sunday as he triumphed over Li Haotong in a playoff. Throughout the match, Rose showcased remarkable consistency by carding five birdies and establishing a one-shot lead after 16 holes during the final round at the Antalya event. However, the lead slipped as they headed towards the 17th hole, ultimately resulting in the two players sharing the top position with an overall score of 17 under par after 72 holes.
The playoff saw both players return to the 18th hole, where Rose narrowly missed a 15-foot birdie putt. In a surprising turn of events, Li made a crucial error by three-putting from nine yards, thus handing the victory to Rose.
Reflecting on the day, Li expressed that it was a challenging experience for him despite playing well throughout the week, lamenting his final hole’s performance. He acknowledged Rose’s strong performance, emphasizing that it was a commendable battle. This triumph marks Rose’s successful defense of his title and propels him above American Brooks Koepka to reclaim the top spot in the world rankings. Rose shared his satisfaction at returning to the pinnacle of the sport, considering it a sweet victory after holding the top-ranking for two weeks in September.
