• BMW PGA Championship

Rose aims to capitalise on Tiger absence

Justin Rose says that Tiger Woods' recent injury problems have given him his best chance at reaching world No.1.

Woods was overtaken by Adam Scott at the top of the rankings on Monday and, speaking before this week's BMW PGA Championship, Rose admitted that while it would be "nice" to replace him and tick it off the list.

"It's a career goal of mine, absolutely," he said. "I have no timeline on that one but it's more achievable now that it's ever been in my career.

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"Tiger was, at one point, up to 15 average points - which is amazing. Right now Adam's around eight and I'm around six.

"If I was to win the next two tournaments, it would put me at No.1. It's achievable and attainable in a very short amount of time for me and, like I said, I have no time frame on it. I'm just focusing week to week on playing well in tournaments - becoming No.1 is a by-product of that.

"I don't think it means much overall; I just think it's nice to be able to one day tell people you were the best player in the world."

Rose, who grew up in Hampshire not too far from Wentworth, also revealed the BMW PGA Championship is high on his to-win list.

"It's a massive tournament for me," said Rose. "You've got the majors and maybe a world event or two but for me it's right there with the best tournaments in the world.

"It was the one I used to go and watch since I was eight years old with a backpack full of sandwiches and follow all the pros and be inspired by them to practice harder."

When asked if, after two runner-up finishes at Wentworth, he thought this might be the tournament that got away, he added: "If I was 52, maybe.

"I've got plenty of time. It's a bucket list tournament for me and I come into it in good form - so why not?"

Alex Perry is an assistant editor at ESPN.co.uk. You can follow him on Twitter at @AlexPerryESPN

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