Rose becomes World Number One

Justin Rose has become World Number One for the first time after finishing second at the BMW Championship in Pennsylvania.

Rose came up just short in a play-off at Aronimink Golf Club on Monday, losing to Keegan Bradley at the first extra hole - but finishing second was enough to take Rose to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.

This is the latest phenomenal achievement in a stellar career that has seen the 38 year old win one Major Championship, two World Golf Championship titles, an Olympic Gold medal and the 2007 European Tour Order of Merit.

Here is a look back at the Englishman's journey to the top.

Open performance at Birkdale as a 17 year old

His red jumper might not have been the perfect fit but Justin Rose seamlessly slotted into Major Championship folklore one afternoon in 1998. His game at Royal Birkdale had been as sharp as the smartly-cropped haircut - after all, it’s not every weekend a 17 year old amateur contends on his Major debut.

The boyish grin belied his ability. Deeply-etched, emotional scars would come, but these were Rose’s halcyon days. The only baggage he stepped onto the first tee with on that Southport Sunday was carried by his caddie.

Out of position in the rough coming down the 72nd hole, Rose’s Major story could easily have started with a slightly less Hollywood ending. His status as low amateur was assured but he needed to get down in two from 50 yards to save par. What followed was a shot from the Seve Ballesteros handbook of craft.

Missed cuts after turning pro

In the immediate aftermath of that historic Birkdale afternoon, Rose made the leap into the professional game. What followed in the ensuing 11 months was the antithesis of those final-hole heroics. A raft of missed cuts, 21 in total, was a cruel second chapter, but surely played its part in shaping the man he has become.

He travelled the globe in search of a weekend. On June 27 1999, it finally worked out. After opening with a 75 at the Compaq European Grand Prix, he edged into the third round with a Friday 69.

Early European Tour wins

After securing a second-place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in Johannesburg - the city of his birth - in January 2001, Rose went one better 12 months later, securing his maiden European Tour victory.

Having posted an opening 71, Rose produced back-to-back 66s on Friday and Saturday to put himself firmly in contention. And he saved the best for last, firing a closing 65 on Sunday to finish two strokes clear of Mark Foster, Retief Goosen and Martin Maritz.

Rose's three trips to Qualifying School were now firmly behind him - he was a European Tour winner at last.

2016 Olympics

Rose claimed golf's first Olympic gold medal for 112 years by edging out his Ryder Cup team-mate Stenson in a thrilling final-round battle in Rio. He carded a closing 67 at Reserva de Marapendi to finish 16 under par and two shots ahead of Stenson, with American Matt Kuchar securing bronze after a superb 63.