Justin Rose has been named the Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month for October after setting up a thrilling conclusion to the Race to Dubai with a spectacular victory at the WGC-HSBC Champions.
The Englishman produced the biggest comeback of the season to win his ninth European Tour title on a dramatic final day in Shanghai.
He was eight shots behind World Number One Dustin Johnson when he teed off and remained six behind at the turn before producing five birdies in a stunning back nine of 31 to get to 14 under par and finish two shots ahead of Johnson, Swede Henrik Stenson and reigning U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka.
The victory was his second World Golf Championships title after the 2012 WGC-Cadillac Championship, which started his run of six consecutive seasons with a European Tour victory – the longest active streak on Tour – and moved him up to third in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex.
Rose went on to claim a second title in as many weeks at the Turkish Airlines Open in the first week of November to climb to second place in the Race to Dubai behind eventual winner Tommy Fleetwood, setting up a thrilling final event of the season at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
The Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month is decided each month by a panel of golf journalists, and as the latest winner Rose will receive an automatic upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond Status, Hilton’s award winning loyalty program.
Rose said: “It’s fantastic to be named Hilton Golfer of the Month for October. Sunday at the WGC-HSBC Champions was the kind of day you hope and dream for. Whenever you come out on top of a leader board featuring the top players in the world, it gives a tournament victory even more meaning.
“It set up a really exciting end to the Race to Dubai, and although it ultimately wasn’t to be for me, it has all been part of a great year.”
In a month of eye-catching performances, Rose was selected ahead of compatriot Tyrrell Hatton and Ireland’s Paul Dunne.
Hatton claimed back to back wins at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship – becoming the first player to successfully defend the title – and the Italian Open, where he claimed his first Rolex Series victory.
Meanwhile, Dunne sealed his first European Tour title in style, producing a fantastic closing 61 to hold off a late charge from Rory McIlroy to win the British Masters supported by Sky Sports.
Hilton, the Official Hotel Supplier to the European Tour, is the Official Sponsor of the Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Month award, which recognises and rewards the best performances of European Tour members each month.
