Justin looks for the Roses
Southport (UK), July 18: After Justin Rose finished fourth in the British Open at Royal Birkdale as a 17-year-old amateur in 1998, it seemed inevitable that he would soon go on to win the Claret Jug.
But he returns to the Southport links for this week’s championship having never subsequently managed to match that performance as a professional. It is little wonder that Rose, now 36, spoke of “unfinished business” o n Tuesday as he prepared for Thursday’s first round, when he going to be a huge sort of hole in my career, but it was the one tournament that even before I finished fourth here as an amateur, I got to final qualifying at the age of 14 and created a bit of a story then.
“It’s definitely been a championship that I’ve had great moments in. And to win it would kind of close the book in a way on my Open Championship story.”
Rose — who warmed up for Birkdale by attending Roger Federer’s victory over Marin Cilic in the Wimbledon final on Sunday — has had mixed results since winning Olympic gold in Rio last year.
He was runner-up to Sergio Garcia at the Masters in April but missed the cut at the recent US Open.
Having only ever won one major, at the US Open in 2013, Rose admits he still uses his 1998 display as a model.
“The freedom I had that particular week, the confidence I had in my short game, the innocence in which I played the game, I think, is kind of still a model.
“But, yeah, when I do look back I do marvel at how I was able to compete so closely down the stretch, and finished within two shots of winning an Open Championship at the age of 17.
“I guess for me it was a glimpse into what my potential is. And hard work will create another chance here and there.”
—AFP