Rose Wanting More Than FedEx Cup Glory By Denying Woods The Tour Championship Title

7 years ago by Comments Off on Rose Wanting More Than FedEx Cup Glory By Denying Woods The Tour Championship Title

Atlanta, GA …

World No. 1 Justin Rose will be seeking more than just the FedEx Cup victory trophy heading to the final round of the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Rose, who shot a third round 68, tees-up in the final event of the 2017/18 PGA Tour season sharing second place with fellow European Ryder Cup colleague,  Rory McIlroy (66) and with the duo trailing three shots behind Tiger Woods (65) who leads at 12-under par.

If Woods were to win what would be a third Tour Championship title in 11-years he would be denied the FedEx Cup trophy if Rose were to remain in a share of second place and/or finish no worse than fifth.

McIlroy, and in joint second with Rose, is projected to finish 7th while Bryson DeChambeau, and who came into the event leading the FedEx Cup title race and who shares 21st place on two-over par, is projected to now finish third on the FedEx Cup standings.

Rose simply needs to win on the East Lake course to be assured of the double reward of the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup victory trophies.

“In some ways I wanted to make my birdie putt on 18 to get to 10-under because at the end of the day, you want to be as many under par as you can,” said Rose.

“That’s the ultimate but when I realized when I got into the scorer’s hut that Rory had got it nine-under, obviously it’s not easy playing with Tiger, especially when everyone is right behind him like this -feels like a first win really, that everyone is looking for from him.

“Tiger showed so much potential this year, and to get across the line; that’s what everyone is hoping happens tomorrow, except the other guys on the leaderboard.

“So, I think being one group ahead of Tiger and Rory might be a blessing in disguise.

“I’ve given myself a chance going into tomorrow, which I think ultimately turned into what the day was all about, and pleased with my position going into tomorrow.”

Rose began day three tied with Tiger Woods tied at seven-under but with Woods quickly distancing himself from his management stablemate with two birdies in his opening three holes.

In contrast, Rose was off to a poor start with back-to-back bogeys before regrouping with three birdies in four birdies from the third to sixth holes.

Woods, however, moved five strokes clear of his rivals with birdies at four, five, six and seven, and in an effort that included just eight putts.

Rose bridged the gap to three shots adrift of Woods when he birdied 16 to go to nine-under and with fellow European Ryder Cup colleague, Rory McIlroy and playing in the group ahead moving also to nine-under with a last hole birdie.

McIlroy will partner Woods over the last round and Rose will join American Kyle Stanley (67) in the penultimate group.



Comments are closed.