Justin Rose says he produced some of the finest golf of his career at the 89th Masters, but even with a 10-birdie final round, he didn’t leave Augusta National with a green jacket.
The 44-year-old Englishman, now a three-time Masters runner-up, lost a playoff to Rory McIlroy, unable to match the Irishman’s birdie at the first hole of sudden death.
It was the second time that Rose has fallen in a playoff at Augusta, where he lost to Sergio Garcia in 2017.
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‘I’ve got to go get a green jacket’ | 02:15
“Yeah, it hurts,” admitted Rose, who captured his only major title at the US Open in 2013 but was runner-up at The Open Championship at Troon last year after qualifying to get into the field.
That performance, and this week, have Rose believing that even in his 40s he can still add to a resume that includes a spell atop the world rankings and Olympic gold at Rio in 2016.
“Definitely I’m proud of myself,” Rose said after posting a six-under final round of 66.
“I played great golf today.”
“We saw part of history today. It’s a momentous day in golf.”
And Rose said he would use this latest near miss to spur him in what he has called the Indian Summer of his career.
“I think I already kicked on in my career when I finished second to Sergio here. But then played some of the best golf of my career, got to world number one,” he said.
“You can’t skip through a career without a little bit of heartache.
“It’s not going to happen. If you’re willing to lift the big championships, you’ve to put yourself on the line.”
Rose was the first to embrace McIlroy after the 35-year-old sealed victory, later revealing what he said to the champion on the green.
“Listen, I was glad I was here on this green to witness you win the career grand slam,” Rose told him.After two birdies and two bogeys in the first five holes on Sunday, Rose – who led after both the first and second rounds – found his groove with birdies at the seventh and eighth.
He conquered Augusta National’s Amen Corner, rolling in a 58-foot birdie at the 11th and a 17-footer at 12 before coming close to an eagle at the par-three 13th, where he settled for a tap-in birdie.
Despite a bogey at 14 he was tied for first at 15 and 16, and after a bogey at 17 he drilled a 20-foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole that again saw him pull level.
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“It’s the kind of putt you dream about as a kid, and to have it and hole it, it was a special feeling,” Rose said.
McIlroy regained the lead with a birdie at the 17th, but bogeyed the final hole of regulation to give Rose another chance.
“Unfortunately, the playoff, they always end so quickly,” said Rose, who was on the green in two when they returned to the 18th for the playoff but then watched McIlroy’s approach hit the green and roll within four feet of the cup.
“That’s sudden death.
“If you’re not the guy to hit the great shot or hole the great putt, it’s over.”
Asked about Rose during the press conference, McIlroy responded: “He’s a great champion. He has displayed so much grace throughout his career. I remember watching the playoff in ’17 when he went up against Sergio and that didn’t quite go his way, either. But he’s had a phenomenal record around here and I feel for him because he’s been so close, and he’s a good friend.”
He continued: “Hopefully he has a few more opportunities.”
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