• Memorial Tournament, Round Four

Flawless Rose seals maiden PGA Tour title

Justin Rose's performance was free of error © Getty Images

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Gallery

Justin Rose produced a flawless final round to claim his maiden PGA Tour title at the Memorial Tournament, finishing at 18 under to win by three strokes from Rickie Fowler.

Rose, who becomes the first English player to win the Memorial, stormed to victory with a 66 despite starting the day four strokes off the lead.

He clawed back the deficit with another ruthless performance on the greens - this was his fourth consecutive round of less than 30 putts - and after Fowler saw his lead disintegrate with a double-bogey on the 12th.

There was nothing spectacular about Rose's performance - instead he was clinically efficient in all aspects of his game as he ended his long wait for a first championship on American soil.

"I've had a few close calls over time, and you start to wonder why you can't get it done sometimes," Rose said. "But I was in control of my emotions all week."

Fowler began the day having gone 52 holes without recording a bogey, but he was unable to extend that sequence during a disappointing 73 that left him at 15 under overall. Although his work with driver and putter was good, he struggled with his iron play as he saw his chances of a maiden title recede over the course of the day.

It was a similar story for Ricky Barnes, who had forced his way into contention with a scintillating 62 on Saturday. His round of 73 was spoiled by two calamitous double-bogeys, forcing him into a tie for third with Bo Van Pelt at 12 under.

One stroke back from that duo was Phil Mickelson, who appears to be clicking into form ahead of the US Open. He could have supplanted Tiger Woods, who finished at six under, at the top of the rankings with a win - instead, he will have to wait for his chance to become the world No. 1 for a first time.

Rory McIlroy finished in a tie for tenth at nine under, two shots better than Steve Stricker.

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