Rose targets Players win in unlikely dash for the summit
England could be hailing its fourth world No1 here on Sunday night. For the first time in his 20-year career, Justin Rose has the chance to reach the summit. All that is required is for him to win the Players Championship and for the other scorecards to fall in his favour.
The fact Rose is No5 highlights the congestion at the top of the rankings. Indeed, the 37-year-old was stunned when told of the chance to emulate Sir Nick Faldo, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald.
“I was really shocked,” he said. “But it is certainly going to be a huge goal now that I know I’m close enough. I was higher in the rankings than I am now when I won the US Open in 2013 – I got to third – but I was still 200 to 300 points away, so it wasn’t a particular target.
“It is now, and I’d love to do it. It’s something every pro aspires to and having played consistently well for some time now, I do think it’s something I can achieve.”
In truth, Rose’s form here at Sawgrass does not inspire giddying confidence. In 14 appearances at the PGA Tour’s flagship tournament, he has recorded only two top-20 finishes but missed six cuts. However, his fourth in 2014 showed he has the game to cope with Pete Dye’s controversial layout and he feels this dangling golden carrot is just what he requires.
“It’s good to have that focus of No1, because in the past there have been times when I’ve gone a bit ‘brain soft’ for a few weeks after the Masters,” he said.
“I played pretty well alongside Henrik [Stenson] at the Zurich [pairs] event a few weeks ago without getting the full rewards [they finished 19th], and if the chance presents itself this week – or in the weeks that follow – I feel I’ll be ready to take it.”
If Rose were to lift his first title of 2018, he would then need Justin Thomas to finish outside the top 46, Dustin Johnson to come outside the top nine and Jon Rahm not to be in outright second. It is a five-man scrap for the honour, with Jordan Spieth also in with a shout, and that only adds to the lustre of Florida’s $11 million (£8 million) showpiece.
Paul Casey’s withdrawal with a back complaint has ensured the world’s top 50 are not all in the field, but with respect to Casey – who is now a leading candidate in every tournament in which he tees it up – his absence will not affect the huge crowd figures.
Two of the three-balls
stand out. At 8.27am local time (1.27pm UK), Rory Mcilroy will set off on the 10th tee with Spieth and Thomas and after his Masters disappointment, he says it is time for him at least to contend here.
The 29-year-old’s first three attempts on the Stadium Course resulted in three missed cuts, but since then he has steadily improved, finishing eighth, sixth, eighth and 12th before a tie for 35th last year.
“The first time you get on some Pete Dye courses, they are very strange and set you up at wrong angles,” said Mcilroy, “but you learn to deal with it and play the way he wants you to play.
“I was a little stubborn the first few years I came here, but this is my ninth time so I’m not a spring chicken any more.
“It took me a few years to figure it out, but I’ve had a few top-10s here and I think it is about time that I step up and give myself a chance on Sunday. I would love to add this event to my CV.”
Tiger Woods has two Players wins on his resume and it says much about his stature that he considers this to be a track that does not suit his game.
But Woods – who yesterday confirmed his entry for July’s Open Championship at Carnoustie – believes his pairing with former nemesis turned close friend Phil Mickelson can “act as inspiration”.
The group – which also includes Rickie Fowler – will undoubtedly draw the most eyes, particularly when on the 17th. Mickelson holds the record for most balls hit in the water on the notorious par-three hole – eight.