By Alex Myers
Justin Rose lost the battle on Monday at the BMW Championship, but in a way, he won the war. At least, for now. When the newest edition of the Official World Golf Ranking comes out, Rose is expected to move to No. 1 for the first time in his career.
Rose’s second runner-up in as many weeks will knock Dustin Johnson from the top spot. Rose will be the 22nd player to be ranked No. 1 since the OWGR was established in 1986. He will join Nick Faldo, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald as the only English-born golfers to hold the position. And despite the tough playoff loss at Aronimink, Rose seemed pretty pumped about it:
We did it Dad…. World Number 1⃣ Thank you so much to my family, friends & everybody that has helped me achieve this incredible goal. Also, my sponsors @TaylorMadeGolf @adidasGolf @Hublot @Mastercard @ZurichNAnews @MorganStanley @LamkinGrips Thank you! #Team? pic.twitter.com/geZgcpTR7U
— Justin Rose ? (@JustinRose99) September 10, 2018
This is the second time Johnson has lost his grasp on the No. 1 ranking this season. After holding the top spot for 64 consecutive weeks, Justin Thomas moved to No. 1 for four weeks before DJ reclaimed the title after his win at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in June.
Keegan Bradley, who beat Rose on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff at the BMW Championship on Monday, is projected to move up to No. 31 from No. 66. And Tiger Woods, who shot a final-round 65 to finish T-6, will climb to No. 21. Here’s how the new ranking is expected to look:
#OWGR update after week #36:
1 ?
2DJ
3BK
4JT
5Franki
6Rory
7Rahm
8BdC
9Fowler
10Spieth
11Day
12Tommy
13Bubba
14Reed
15Finau
17Webb
18Xander
20Hideki
21 ?
25Phil
31Keegan ?
38MattFitz ?
48BillyHo— Nosferatu (@VC606) September 10, 2018
Rose, 38, is a nine-time PGA Tour winner, a 10-time European Tour winner, and, of course, the 2013 U.S. Open champ. Throw in a Gold Medal at the 2016 Olympics and this ascension to golf’s top spot, and Rose has the making of a Hall-of-Fame career already. Now No. 2 in the FedEx Cup standings heading into next week’s Tour Championship, he’s also in great position to add that PGA Tour season-long award to his résumé.