Justin Rose reflects after wild trip that has taken him to No. 1 in the world
Newtown Square, Pa. — Justin Rose would like to have changed how he reached No. 1 in the world. But not when. Rose felt emotionally conflicted when the BMW Championship ended in a light rain at Aronimink Golf Club. He was going for his third title in the Philadelphia area, including the U.S. Open he won at Merion five years ago. He hit what he thought was one of the better putts he had ever struck under pressure, a 15-footer for par in regulation, only to see it spin hard around the back edge of the cup.
And then in a playoff, his 5-foot par putt missed to the left, making Keegan Bradley a winner for the first time in six years.
The consolation prize was obvious: Rose replaced Dustin Johnson at No. 1 in the world.
“In the moment, we're all about trying to win a golf tournament,” Rose said. “But give me half an hour maybe, and I might be able to say I really enjoyed it.”
Reflection came much sooner in the form of a tweet :
“We did it Dad .... World Number 1. Thank you so much to my family, friends & everybody that has helped me achieve this incredible goal.”
The words were accompanied by a photo of Rose from that Sunday afternoon at Merion when he hit all the right shots and became a major champion. He is shown pointing to the sky to acknowledge his father, Ken, who died of leukemia in September 2002.
The day Rose became No. 1 in the world was the anniversary of his death, a day the son never forgets.
No, he didn't get the trophy awarded after four rounds.
Rose got a title earned over the last two years by a mathematical formula, and over the last 20 years by sheer determination.
“It's boyhood dreams, know what I mean?” Rose said. “Today is all about the process, and there will be next week to win tournaments. But to get to world No. 1 is unbelievable. It's something I can say now in my career I've been the best player in the world.” And what a trip. He was a 17-year-old amateur at Royal Birkdale in 1998 who holed out for par on the final hole to tie for fourth, soaking up a celebration that suggested golf could only get sweeter.
And then it went sour over the next year when he turned pro and missed 21 consecutive cuts on the European Tour.
It took him nearly four years before he won for the first time in Europe. He went 12 years before winning on the PGA Tour, rallying from four shots behind to win the Memorial and get that handshake with Jack Nicklaus. He won the U.S. Open in 2013 by denying Phil Mickelson. He added precious gold to the collection of silver trophies when he won in golf's return to the Olympics in 2016.
All he won Monday at Aronimink was a designation that can't be taken away.
Rose is the 22nd player to reach No. 1 in a world ranking that began in 1986. He is the fourth player from England, joining Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Nick Faldo. Argue about the math, but not the results. In the last year, Rose has four victories, including a World Golf Championship.