Justin Rose captured the Victor Chandler British Masters, his second title on the 2002 European Tour International Schedule and fourth worldwide, after a terrific final day battle with Ian Poulter over the magnificent Marquess Course at Woburn Golf and Country Club.
Rose closed with a second successive 65, seven under par, to win his first title on home soil with a 19 under par total of 269, but it came at the expense of the man in whose house he stayed all week as Poulter finished a stroke adrift after a final round 68.
Rose joins Ernie Els and Tiger Woods as multiple winners on The 2002 European Tour International Schedule following his victory in the dunhill championship in January. He is also the first player to win four times worldwide in 2002 having also won the Nashua Masters on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa and The Crowns tournament in Japan.
At the age of 21 Rose becomes the youngest winner of the Victor Chandler British Masters, beating the previous record of Baldovino Dassu who was 23 when he won the title in 1976. The cheque of 329,374 euro (£208,330) was the largest of his career and lifted him from 20th to seventh in the Volvo Order of Merit with 658,245 euro (£416,342).
“It is nice to win one of the premier events on The European Tour,” said Rose. “I talked in Germany about the fact that although I had won three times this year I hadn’t won an event with a full field and full status on The European Tour and I managed to knock that one off pretty quickly.”
Rose started the final day three shots behind Phillip Price, and two behind Poulter and immediately stated his intentions with birdies on the first two holes. Two more followed on the fifth and seventh holes on the way to an outward half of 32 while Poulter himself made four successive birdies from the fifth to keep his nose in front by reaching the turn in 33.
The classic match play battle continued over the back nine as the two young guns matched each other shot for shot. Poulter edged two ahead with a birdie on the tenth but Rose hit back with a birdie on the very next hole. The two matched each others’ birdies on the 12th and when Poulter bogeyed the 13th they were level.
Rose appeared to have the advantage on the short 14th after hitting his tee shot to the short par three to eight feet while Poulter found the bunker from the left side of the green. But the 26 year old, who lives at nearby Milton Keynes, holed out from the sand for a birdie two only for Rose to follow him in.
With three holes to play the pair were level but Rose moved in front for the first time on the 16th after Poulter three putted. Poulter had the chance to force the contest into extra holes on the last after hitting his seven iron approach to ten feet but the putt slipped by the left side and Rose was crowned champion.
“After Ian holed the bunker shot on the 14th and I holed the putt to follow him in we were chatting and saying we had never had so much fun on the golf course,” said Rose. “He is such a great competitor. Plays with so much guts, heart and determination that you never know what is coming next from him.
“The three other victories this year have been in far and distant places. Although they are very special it is fantastic to win on home soil.”
For Poulter there was the consolation of the 219,572 euro (£138,880) second prize which lifted him to 26th in the Volvo Order of Merit.
“I said to Justin when we got into the back nine, this is what we play golf for,” said Poulter. "I laughed and said who would have thought that you and I would be coming down the last fighting for it.
“But it’s great to see him win again this year. I am happy with my performance this week. One more would have perfect but my golf is really in shape and lets hope it continues.”
Price, the overnight leader after opening with rounds of 68, 65 and 68, finished with a round of 72 to claim third place on 273, 15 under par, his challenge faltering with a double bogey on the 13th. Colin Montgomerie took fourth after a final round of 67, five under par, gave him a 14 under par total of 274 and the cheque for 98,813 euro (£62,500) lifted him to second in the Volvo Order of Merit.
