Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose said it would be “like a dream” if he wins the 2015 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in its tenth year.
Rated as one of the best players in Europe’s triumph at Gleneagles recently, Rose is now turning his attention to new goals and plotting his campaign for the 2015 season which will start at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 15.
The Englishman came close to his first ever Falcon Trophy in 2013, and with a two-stroke lead against a world-class pack, he looked destined for victory.
But on an enthralling final day, Jamie Donaldson sank five birdies and did not drop a shot until the final hole to finish 14 under. Rose had a chance to force a play-off with Donaldson, but his birdie putt lipped out of the cup, giving the honours to the Welshman.
“That’s a putt I don’t think I’ll ever forget,” said Rose, who is returning to Abu Dhabi for the second time.
“I used to dream about winning big tournaments, playing in Ryder Cups, and of course you dream about sinking putts to win the Open Championship.
"Success doesn’t come easily and you have to put the hard work and dedication in, but the most important thing for me is to start with a dream.
“Winning a Major championship has always been my goal, and I have to say, winning in Abu Dhabi in its tenth year would also be a dream.”
Rose, the current world number six, won the most points and was regarded by many pundits as the best player of this year’s Ryder Cup. He forged an impressive partnership with Swede Henrik Stenson, playing the match of the tournament in the fourball to sink 10 birdies in a row together, and he fought back superbly against Hunter Mahan to halve his singles match.
His stunning Ryder Cup form follows almost 18 months after winning the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club by two strokes over Phil Mickelson and Jason Day to become the first English player to secure a major since Nick Faldo in 1996.
