Wednesday 29 October 2014 13:45, UK
Justin Rose admits he will have one eye on the world rankings in the weeks ahead as he looks to sign off another fine season in memorable style.
The Englishman has wins on both the European and PGA Tours to his name in 2014 and also played a leading role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles, taking four and a half points from his five matches.
He is now refocusing his efforts on the European Tour with the Race to Dubai’s lucrative ‘Final Series’ starting this week in China.
The four-tournament swing gets underway with the BMW Masters in Shanghai and culminates at the end of next month with the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Rose is slated to play in three of the four events and, while the world number six is unlikely to reel in runaway leader Rory McIlroy, he acknowledges the next few weeks present him with a great chance to push on to a highest-ever world ranking.
“I’m not sure I can catch (leader) Rory (McIlroy) in The Race to Dubai,” stated the 34-year-old. “But the Bonus Pool runs deep down to 15th and I want to strengthen my world ranking as much as possible.
“If I can play well and maybe win a couple of tournaments between now and the end of the season, I could probably get up to second in the world, which would be a personal best. So there’s always something to play for.”
Rose warmed up for Thursday’s event at Lake Malaren GC with a match-play exhibition against great friend Ian Poulter as the duo opened a new course they had designed at the Mission Hills complex in Hainan.
It’s always nice to come back to Asia and I’ve got a decent record here. I've played well on this golf course in the past, so I’m looking forward to getting going.
Currently 64th in the Race to Dubai money-list (with only the top 60 qualifying for the finale in Dubai), Poulter could do with a big week and heads in full of confidence given his past record in Asia, which includes a win at the HSBC Champions in China two years ago.
“It’s always nice to come back to Asia and I’ve got a decent record here,” said Poulter. “I've played well on this golf course in the past, so I’m looking forward to getting going.
“I've been close here. I like the layout, I like the way it looks and if the weather holds off for us and is kind then it's going to be a great week.
“The success over here obviously means that I've got a good following, and hopefully that may long continue.
“I’ve been in China for five days, and opening the golf course with Justin was great fun. We had a little match play competition yesterday (Tuesday) and he managed to beat me 3&2, so it would be nice if I can go one up on him this week.”
