Justin Rose has been in fine form during two rounds of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, and that’s great news with the Ryder Cup just around the corner.
Rose, 45, will be a linchpin of the European Ryder Cup team in New York State at Bethpage Black later this month.
The experienced Englishman is a consummate professional and his tireless work ethic has enabled him to remain competitive at the very highest level of the game for so long.
Rose was delighted with his form ahead of the Ryder Cup in the 2025 season, and rightly so.
He got back into the winner’s circle with a sensational victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, displaying his exceptional mental strength in the process.
So taking into account the mentality he has, it was interesting to hear his comments about the BMW PGA Championship this week.
Justin Rose makes Ryder Cup admission midway through the BMW PGA Championship
Rose is right in contention to win at Wentworth this week.
At the time of writing he is one shot off the lead, currently held by Hideki Matsuyama.
However, will he be able to retain his focus throughout the final 36 holes to get the job done?
Rose was asked how important it would be for him to win at Wentworth this week and whether or not he is subconsciously focusing on the Ryder Cup during his rounds.
He replied: “Yeah, right, I would. It would mean a lot. I always send us a bucket list of them for me. I can’t deny it, I can’t hide from it. Although this week, to be honest, I think with the Ryder Cup around the corner, there’s sort of like — yeah listen, I was straight into this tournament. I said at the beginning of the week that if you’re get into contention this week, it becomes all about this week and this weekend will be all about this tournament. If you’re in the middle of the pack, you might start thinking about Bethpage and what-have-you.
“But yeah, I’ve got a great weekend ahead of me. I mean, I’ve got more choppy weather coming in, so it’s going to be a little bit of see what happens out there, to be honest with you, but I’m feeling comfortable. I think stay aggressive, I guess, because even though the course feels like it’s playing tough, opposite there, the scoreboard wouldn’t suggest it is. So, so, yeah, hammer down.“
With all of Rose’s experience, he will surely be focused on the job at hand this weekend.
However, if he does fall away, perhaps his preoccupation with the upcoming Ryder Cup will be the reason as to why.
Justin Rose likens Wentworth to Augusta National
There are certain golf courses, due to their designs, which are particularly challenging when the wind gets up.
Rose was asked if the swirling winds at Wentworth remind him of the challenges presented at Augusta National.
“100 per cent. I mean, the course does kind of move nicely around, but then, you know, you get to the sort of like the last sort of four or five holes, and it does kind of set in, you play the last few holes downwind, and that’s about the only time you do begin to feel comfortable with a breeze out here. But yeah, you know, seventh hole, for example, when that pins up on that back shelf, I mean, you’re kind of looking at your caddie, he’s looking at you, and no one’s really willing to put their neck on the line there.
“But yeah, that’s what makes this golf course, so fun to play, I think, and that’s where flighting your ball and kind of minimizing the variance of what could happen. I think we never know exactly within five yards where the ball’s going to land, but if you put the right flight on it, you know roughly that you’re going to be in that little window and I think that’s what ultimately sets up early chances.“
With the intricate green designs at Wentworth and the subtleties of the landscaping in and around the putting surfaces, any form of wind seems to be accentuated.
The narrow alleys flanked by the huge oak trees at Wentworth act as wind tunnels, and it’s easy to see why Rose has compared the host golf course of the BMW PGA Championship to Augusta National.
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