On Monday morning at Augusta, one man celebrated joyfully while 52 others were in deep reflection, contemplating what led to their missed opportunities, from that short putt on the 6th to a stray chip on 12 or a sliced drive on 15 that cost them the chance to win the 2025 Masters.
While Rory McIlroy relished his victory, the rest of the participants were left wondering what could have been. Justin Rose, who felt the sting of defeat most acutely, recorded scores of 65, 71, 75, and 66, remarking that his final round was “a bogey away from being the greatest round I’ve ever played.”
The playoff’s second shots illustrated the difference. Rose delivered a near-perfect shot that landed 15 feet from the pin, while McIlroy’s ball rolled back from beyond the hole, just inches away from Rose’s and finished 5 feet from the cup. “Yeah, it hurts,” Rose admitted. “But what can you do?”
He was the first to embrace McIlroy after his win, expressing, “I was glad to witness you winning the career grand slam.” Rose has now become a significant part of this tournament’s narrative, having finished as runner-up three times and losing two playoffs, notably to cherished Masters champions like Sergio García in 2017 and now McIlroy.
In other circumstances, European fans would have cheered Rose’s impressive 20-foot putt on 18 that tied him for the lead, but not this year. Rose recognized the historic nature of the day, stating, “We witnessed a piece of history today. It’s a remarkable day for golf.”
At 44, Rose is playing exceptionally well but acknowledges the swift changes that can occur with age. He reflected on how he once thought the game would become easier with time, but he finds himself working harder than ever. “The reason I’m willing to put in that work is for these moments,” he remarked, noting the rewarding experience of receiving a standing ovation.
