Hong Kong Open 2015: Victorious Justin Rose closes on Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy

Rose’s one-shot victory over Denmark’s Lukas Bjerregaard took him back into the world’s top five

Justin Rose won the Hong Kong Open by one shot (Getty)

Among the first to congratulate Justin Rose on his 19th professional victory at the Hong Kong Open was Rory McIlroy, a sign of respect as well as popularity.

The pair had played the opening two rounds the previous week at the Frys.com Open in California, where Rose muscled in on McIlroy’s tee territory, frequently smashing his ball further with the driver.

“Well done,” McIlroy said, “you didn’t need that long ball at Fanling! Enjoy.”

Rose’s one-shot victory over Denmark’s Lukas Bjerregaard took him back into the world’s top five, and fourth in the Race to Dubai, setting up the possibility of a stirring end-of-season duel with McIlroy, who returns this week in Turkey, for the European order of merit crown.

McIlroy would expect to extend his lead at the top of the Race to Dubai at the Turkish Airlines Open, but Rose, having found his touch with the putter, is the man in form and keen to avenge his narrow defeat in Dubai three years ago, when the world No 3 famously rattled off five successive birdies to claim the DP World Tour Championship at the last hole and the order of merit with it.

“I’m very happy to get the job done. I had a chance to win in Napa last week, I was tied for the lead going down the 10th hole and let that one fritter away a little bit. I wanted to hang on to this one,” Rose said. “Dubai, especially, is a tournament I’ve played well at in the past. I’ve had a couple of second-place finishes there. I’d love to break that duck, as well. And if you win in Dubai, you’ve got a great opportunity to wrap things up, so I’m looking forward to the next few weeks.”

Rose, who led from tape to tape, suffered a two-shot swing at the ninth, where he posted a bogey to Bjerregaard’s birdie, conjuring memories of his negative spiral on the back nine in California. He responded positively here with two birdies in the next four holes to close within a stroke.

The last time I was out in the final group on a Sunday, I shot 89. So 20 shots better today, I’ll take that

&#13; <p>Denmark’s Lukas Bjerregaard</p>&#13;

Another at the 16th after the Dane had doubled the 14th allowed him the luxury of a bogey at the last for a 17-under-par total. It was only Rose’s third dropped shot of the week and the result of a timid three-putt that produced a comedy-chicken impression.

At least Bjerregaard saw the funny side. “It was fun to battle with Justin these last two days,” he said. “It’s guys like him that I want to go out and compete against, and at least I gave him a little bit of a scare. The last time I was out in the final group on a Sunday, I shot 89. So 20 shots better today, I’ll take that.”

Matt Fitzpatrick continued his upward trajectory despite posting three bogeys in the closing four holes. The 21-year-old Englishman finished six shots back in a tie for third.

Ian Poulter’s mad odyssey to the Far East ended in a tie for 29th place on five under. Once again he fell back over the weekend following a strong start, perhaps understandable on this occasion after crashing through a dozen time zones to ensure he held on to his European Tour membership.