Justin Rose Reflects on Near Win at the Masters

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — As Justin Rose drove away from Augusta National, he couldn’t shake the feeling of how close he came to winning the Masters.

Throughout his journey to Hilton Head Island, his phone buzzed repeatedly with messages acknowledging his impressive comeback and expressing sympathy for his second-place finish behind Rory McIlroy.

Rose began the final round seven shots behind, making a victory seem unlikely. However, he sunk a remarkable 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a 66, which propelled him into a sudden-death playoff. Unfortunately, he lost after McIlroy made a superb 3-foot birdie with a gap wedge.

“There’s been a lot of positive feedback coming my way, and I’m trying to process all of that while also wishing I had a different message on my phone,” Rose said on Wednesday during the RBC Heritage.

Familiar Territory

This isn’t new for Rose. At the 2017 Masters, he had a two-shot advantage with six holes to go before Sergio Garcia, a close friend, made an unexpected comeback that led to a playoff where he defeated Rose on the first hole. Rose exhibited grace that day, warmly congratulating Garcia on his triumph.

Similarly, after McIlroy clinched his victory, Rose expressed happiness for him despite his own disappointment. “It still stings,” he acknowledged, as he searched for the right words to convey his feelings. While he was proud of his performance, he couldn’t help but feel tormented by the possibilities that slipped away.

Resilience and Future Prospects

Rose now stands alongside Ben Hogan as one of only two players to lose the Masters in a playoff twice. The fact that both instances were sudden-death losses adds to the weight of his disappointment. Despite a stellar career with 23 worldwide wins, he is reminded of his near-misses, including three times congratulating fellow golfers as they claimed the Masters title.

Although he noted that losing the Masters in 2017 haunted him for about a month, Rose managed to channel that setback into a successful year where he secured three victories, including a title at the World Golf Championships and the FedEx Cup. “I played some of the best, most consistent golf during that time,” he reflected.

As Rose approaches his 45th birthday in July, he remains optimistic about his prospects. “I’m working hard and feeling good about my game. It’s essential to be consistently ready for those major opportunities since they occur just four times a year,” he stated. With two recent majors under his belt, he remains motivated to continue competing at a high level.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on his recent performances, Rose feels he’s very close to achieving significant milestones again. The memories of clutch moments, like his birdie putt at Augusta and another important putt during the Ryder Cup, fuel his ambition moving forward. “I’m on the verge of something really good,” Rose concluded.