It is hard to imagine what must have been going through Justin Rose’s head as he prepared for the playoff at The Masters, with the Englishman standing between Rory McIlroy and a place in golfing immortality.
Justin Rose started the final round at Augusta National seven shots back of Rory McIlroy. And he must have felt that his slim chances were dashed when he made bogeys on four and five.
But McIlroy’s determination not to win The Masters brought Rose back into the race. And at one stage on the back nine, it was the 2013 US Open champion who led. However, by the time McIlroy holed out on the 18th hole, the two European Ryder Cup stalwarts were tied at 11 under par.
Rose so nearly holed his approach when they returned to the final hole for the playoff, but left himself with a tricky birdie putt. McIlroy meanwhile, was able to take advantage of having a shorter club in his hand, bringing the ball much closer to the hole.
Justin Rose surprised by what has happened since he lost to Rory McIlroy in a playoff at The Masters
When Rose missed his chance to make a three, McIlroy was able to get across the line. He had won The Masters and completed the career grand slam. And once he had regained some of his composure, it was Rose who embraced him in a moment of real class.
Interestingly, speaking to The Telegraph ahead of the PGA Championship, Rose admitted that he was taken aback by the reaction to his actions on the final green.
“I have had as many, if not more, messages than after Merion or Rio and the overwhelming sentiment was congratulations rather than commiserations,” he said.
“It is heartwarming, yeah, but, to be honest, I have been a bit baffled because I really didn’t feel I did anything special. I just gave a mate a hug on the 18th green and told him it was great to see how special it was for him and you know, just tried to sort of table my own disappointment. That’s all. Maybe there were some other bigger pictures at play.”
The accurate prediction Shane Lowry made before the final round of The Masters
One of the next figures to celebrate with McIlroy was his great friend Shane Lowry. Lowry had been level with Rose ahead of the final round, but posted an 81 on Sunday to finish in a tie for 42nd.
Lowry would not have foreseen that outcome, but it seems that he did make one very accurate prediction before the last round, as Rose explained.
“It was not just the physical stamina, but the mental stamina and the ability to expend that nervous energy. I had breakfast with Shane that morning and we were on the same score after three rounds. Shane said: ‘We are a bit back, but if Rory and Bryson [DeChambeau] get caught up in their own thing, one of us could easily come through’,” he added.
“I thought about that conversation afterwards. Shane, one of the in-form players in the world, struggled [shooting an 81] and I was the one to do it and at this stage of my career I’m proud of that. It tells me I might be doing all the right things.”
Rose has now finished second at The Masters on three occasions, with two of those coming after playoffs. On the one hand, he must be wondering whether it will ever happen for him at Augusta.
But on the other, he can take so many positives from finishing second at the last two majors at this stage of his career.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
