AUGUSTA, Georgia – English golfer Justin Rose experienced the sting of another close call at Augusta National this week, but says the overwhelming fan support will provide lasting motivation despite missing out on his first Masters championship.
The 45-year-old veteran golfer momentarily grabbed the lead during Sunday’s final round before falling back to finish in a four-way tie for third place, ending two strokes behind champion Rory McIlroy. This marked another painful near-miss for Rose, who lost to McIlroy in a playoff just one year ago.
Rose, a former U.S. Open winner who has come in second place three times at the Masters, was particularly touched by the reception from spectators as he made his way up the 18th fairway following another disappointing finish.
“I felt like the crowd was amazing to me all week long … I felt their encouragement and support,” Rose commented after the round.
“At the end it kind of goes a little flat. It’s more of a sympathy than anything. But it was still nonetheless very beautiful.
“But, yeah, another little stinger.”
The English golfer started strong with five birdies on the front nine and believed he had positioned himself well to make a serious run at the title before things went sideways at the notorious Amen Corner section of the course.
“I was really in control. First 10 holes, I felt like I was,” Rose explained.
“And the mentality was to run through the finish line not just try and get it done.”
However, damaging bogeys on holes 11 and 12 killed his momentum, and his hopes were effectively ended when he failed to make a short par putt on the 17th hole, sealing another year without the coveted Green Jacket.
“Today I felt like there was an opportunity to do better, so obviously that is frustrating,” Rose admitted.
Despite the disappointment, Rose remains optimistic about his future chances, citing his strong performance over the past two seasons as evidence he can continue competing at golf’s highest level.
“In the last two years I’ve really kind of re-kicked on and re-energized my career and I have a lot of belief in myself that there is a lot of runway ahead,” he said.
“These are the tournaments I focus on. These tournaments are why I practice. These are the tournaments that get me going that extra mile.”
Rose believes Augusta National’s distinctive challenges will continue to favor his game as he ages, pointing to longtime competitors like Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer who have remained competitive at the Masters well into their later years.
“Those guys get around this golf course,” he noted.
When asked about the strong connection he’s formed with Augusta’s galleries, Rose provided a straightforward answer.
“I think people just know I play hard. I try hard. I’ve been close,” he said.
“I think they just appreciate the effort.”
