England’s Justin Rose, whose career reached full bloom in early September when he became world number one, will return in December to defend his Indonesian Masters title which he won in thrilling fashion in 2017.

The eighth edition of the prestigious Indonesian Masters will bring the curtain down on the 2018 Asian Tour season with the Habitat for Humanity (standings) champion being crowned at the tournament which will be played from December 13 to 16 at its traditional home, Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

The winner of this year’s US$750,000 Indonesian Masters will also receive an added bonus – a spot in the World Golf Championships – FedEx St. Jude Invitational next July.

Rose, who will represent Europe in next week’s Ryder Cup, rounded off a brilliant 2017 season by winning the Indonesian Masters.

His closing 10-under-par 62 gave him an eight-stroke advantage over runner-up Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand.

The champion, who also carded a 62 on the opening day, posted a winning total of 29-under-par 259 after what the 38-year-old described as a “dream week…of incredible golf.”

“My win last year was immensely satisfying – it was the largest winning margin for me in a tournament,” said Rose, who had arrived at the 2017 Indonesian Masters in buoyant mood after winning the WGC-HSBC Champions and the Turkish Airlines Open back-to-back just over a month earlier.

“I am excited to be returning to defend my title especially so soon after topping the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time.

“It’s an amazing achievement for me to reach world number one and it is something I am extraordinarily proud of. It is the stuff of boyhood dreams.”

The talented Englishman is the reigning Olympic gold medallist and he claimed the US Open in 2013.

With Rose in the line-up, spectators can look forward to a thrilling finale to the 2018 Asian Tour season.

“The Indonesian Masters is truly honoured to welcome back world number one Justin Rose,” said Jimmy Masrin, Founder of the Indonesian Masters and Chairman of the Asian Tour.

“Justin was hugely impressive both on and off the course last year and is a great ambassador for the sport. The Indonesian Masters is now one of the premier events in the region and to have him in the field is a further boost to its standing.”

England’s Lee Westwood, a former world number one, has won the Indonesian Masters on three occasions (2011, 2012 and 2015) while Anirban Lahiri of India, who now plays primarily on the PGA Tour, lifted the title in 2014.

The tournament forms the third leg of the 2018/19 Panasonic Swing, further adding to its pulling power. The Panasonic Swing ranking is based on an aggregate points race that spans five events with Asian Tour players chasing a share of a lucrative bonus pool.

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