Briton Justin Rose held his nerve down the stretch, carding a level par-71 to claim a two-shot win at the BMW Championship on Sunday, setting the 30-man field for next week’s season-ending Tour Championship.
After starting the week outside the top 30 in the FedExCup standings, Rose will be among those playing for the US$10 million bonus in Atlanta, Georgia, after claiming a nervy wire-to-wire victory at a rainy Cog Hill Golf and Country Club with a winning total of 13-under 271.
Australian John Senden returned an error-free two-under 69 to finish second, but it was not enough to overhaul Rose or clinch a place on the International squad for the Presidents Cup in November.
That honor went to compatriot Geoff Ogilvy, who returned a 69 to finish one shot back alone in third to claim a place at the Tour Championship and a Presidents Cup berth.
World No. 1 Luke Donald signed off with a three-under 68 to take fourth and to cap a brilliant comeback after an opening round 75 on Thursday had left the Englishman near the bottom of the leaderboard.
FedExCup leader Webb Simpson was one shot further adrift in fifth after a final round 71.
Rose banked US$1.4 million for the victory and suddenly finds himself as one of the favorites to collect the US$10 million season-ending jackpot after moving into the top five of the standings.
Only the top five head to Atlanta knowing a win at East Lake will give them the season-ending jackpot.
Rose began the rainy final day with a four-shot cushion, but saw his lead clipped to three with a bogey at the second.
With no one behind him mounting a charge, Rose held steady and then increased his advantage to five with back-to-back birdies at six and seven.
However, after opening with eight straight pars, Senden finally applied some pressure when his birdie at nine combined with a Rose bogey on the same hole, slicing the Briton’s lead to three entering the turn.
Senden added another birdie at 10 and then watched as Rose wobbled down the stretch taking a bogey at 16, reducing his lead to a single shot to set up a nail-biting finish.
However, Rose quickly ended the suspense when he chipped in from just off the fringe of the 17th green for a birdie to grab a two-shot advantage heading onto the final hole.
The squads for the Presidents Cup also took shape with 10-of-12 spots on both the US and International teams set after the BMW.
US captain Fred Couples and his opposite number Greg Norman will complete the teams when they announce their two captain’s picks next Tuesday.
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