KING OF AMERICA
Rose equals Faldo in PGA Tour wins but is out on his own in US
THE headline figure was seductive, as Justin Rose’s latest win in america on Sunday night brought him level with Britain’s greatest ever golfer Sir nick Faldo in terms of victories on the Pga Tour.
But it does not tell the whole story. When you study their records in detail, a different picture emerges — one that underlines just how good Rose is, for he is actually miles ahead in all but one respect when it comes to their records on american soil.
Even the wins tally is skewed in Faldo’s favour since three of his nine successes came in Scotland, for victories in The Open count towards the Pga Tour total.
What lends the comparison real meaning is the fact they have played a similar number of Pga Tour events. Faldo competed in 306 during his illustrious career and Rose is now up to 315.
Here is where they go their separate ways. Faldo finished runner-up in seven events while Rose has had 12 second-place finishes. Faldo finished third six times and Rose is already on 10.
Top 10s? Faldo mustered 52 during his illustrious career while Rose has 84. Halfway cuts made? Faldo played on the weekend in 229 events while Rose has done so on 254 occasions.
Then there is prize-money — Faldo might want to look away at this point. not that career earnings of $6million (£4.5m) is anything to sniff at, but it pales alongside the $45m (£34m) Rose has taken in the US alone.
Of course, we should not forget that Faldo won three majors in america against Rose’s sole US Open win so far. But Rose’s impressive consistency over a long period does show why he is underrated when it comes to valuing our top sportsmen. When you are outpacing Faldo, you certainly belong on the first page.
On Sunday, at the Colonial course Ben Hogan called home, all of Rose’s qualities were on show in a classic Texas shootout against the modern gunslinger, Brooks Koepka.
The reigning US Open champion must have thought he had a chance of making up a four-shot deficit with a brilliant closing 63, only for the Englishman to match him virtually shot for shot with a wonderful 64 of his own.
‘Justin was so impressive. It’s really hard to defend a lead when someone’s coming at you like that,’ said the american.
Rose made his name with the quality of his ball- striking, so a victory at the home of the legend considered perhaps the best ballstriker of all meant a lot. and when he putts as he did last week, he is a match for anyone. ‘When they gave me the trophy the first name I saw was Hogan’s, and that says a lot,’ said Rose. ‘I’m so proud to be a part of that. The way I won, I think it’s very fitting for a place called Hogan’s alley.’
Rose was upset to miss out on the BMW extravaganza at Wentworth last week, but felt it was the best option given a new Pga Tour ruling that states a player must compete in an event in which he has not played over the previous four years. at least he made it work with a performance that was positively Hoganesque. ‘If you look at the courses I’ve won at, this definitely strengthens that group even more,’ he said. ‘I’m very happy my game has turned up and I’ve been inspired by these great venues.’
Faldo was also generous in praising the man who most reminds him of the way he played. ‘There’s so many stats but the bottom line is proximity to the hole,’ he said. ‘Justin works hard on the science of the game to give him a feel he can trust. That was my style as well.’ Recall Rose’s words to Sportsmail earlier this month when he identified three events, starting last week, as his golden chance to become world no 1 for the first time? now up to third, equalling his career high, he will have his chance this week at another event he has won previously — the Memorial tournament in Ohio. Then on to the US Open.
Rose turns 38 in July, but his love of the fight endures to the extent that he may yet win a couple more majors and match Faldo in one more respect.
Before he is done, will this model ambassador for his sport also become a golfing knight?