Hampshire’s Justin Rose is chasing a personal best world ranking as he enters the final stages of the season.

Rose is currently in eighth position, some way behind commanding leader Rory McIlroy, but is confident he can rise up the rankings as the European Tour’s Final Series gets under way in China on Thursday.

Rose, who warmed up for the BMW Masters by beating Ryder Cup teammate Ian Poulter in a match to mark the opening of a course they designed in Hainan, said: “I’m not sure I can catch Rory but the bonus pool runs deep down to 15th and I want to strengthen my world ranking as much as possible.

“If I can play well and maybe win a couple of tournaments between now and the end of the season, I could probably get up to second in the world, which would be a personal best. So there’s always something to play for.”