He didn’t win on Monday but he did complete a lifelong goal as Justin Rose unseated Dustin Johnson at the top of the world golf rankings.
The playoff loser – he lipped out for par on the 72nd hole and then saw his putt shave the edge on the first sudden-death hole – had some consolation after an extraordinary run of consistency moved him past Johnson.
The Englishman, who joins Nick Faldo, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald as fellow world No 1s, has accrued four wins and five top threes to go with 19 top 10s in his past 27 tournaments.
In that time, he’s accrued £8-million and now eyes the $10-million bonus for winning the FedExCup as he heads to the Tour Championship next week in second place.
‘I have another string to the bow. I always envisaged myself getting to world No 1 and to join that company of players is special,’ said Rose, who was second last week to Bryson DeChambeau.
‘It’s scary company, actually. It’s something I can say, I’ve been the best player in the world – I’ve been to the top of the game.’
Rose, a Major winner and holder of Olympic gold, was always tipped for greatness after finishing fourth at The Open in 1998.
‘It’s boyhood dream stuff, something I am incredibly proud of,’ Rose said.
‘It’s been a good stretch of golf. I’ve played solidly over the past year. I’m delighted to get to the top.’
