By Sarah Gwynn, europeantour.com
at Augusta National
Take Jordan Spieth out of the equation and Justin Rose might well have been sporting a Green Jacket for the first time on Sunday night.
The Englishman’s 14 under par total would have won 70 of the last 78 editions of the Masters Tournament, so perhaps the only thing off about his wonderful performance was his timing; having the misfortune to coincide a career-best showing at Augusta National with Spieth’s comprehensive dismantling of the iconic Georgia layout.
On so many other years Rose’s brilliance – and, at times, resilience – would have been rewarded with Bubba Watson helping him slip into one of golf’s most coveted prizes, but in Spieth he came up against an imperious, fearless 21 year old, whose 18 under par winning score equalled Tiger Woods’ record low total from 1997.
Rose, who already knows what it takes to taste Major glory, having won the 2013 US Open Championship, was perhaps grateful to have any chance at all on Masters Sunday, requiring a grandstand finish to round three after – by his own admission – a sluggish start.
Five birdies in his last six holes launched Rose into second spot and a date alongside golf’s newest superstar in the final pairing, but despite a smattering of classy moments on the final day, the 34 year old was unable to keep pace with Spieth’s relentless march and, most importantly, his masterful putting stroke.
“Jordan's going to sort of fly the flag, I think, for golf for quite a while,” said Rose, typically gracious and composed. “He didn't really open the door, and I didn't really expect him to. He was clutch with the putter again today.
“You just need to take your hat off and marvel at it and congratulate him, because it's very impressive.
“Fourteen under par – I’ll take that next year and I'll take that the year after and I'll take it the year after, so I have to take a lot of confidence from that.
“But you've got to play it on the day, too. There were a few moments out there where I could have done better and I'll learn from that and think about that.”
Once the disappointment has dissipated, Rose will be able to take heart from yet another fine showing at golf’s mecca, adding a tied runner-up spot to top ten finishes in 2007 and 2012. Indeed, he has ended the week in the top 25 in every one of his last six appearances.
“To come here with not a lot of form so far this season, to finish tied second is obviously a good result and I feel like my season is now under way,” continued Rose, who began his Major career with a bang when he finished fourth as an amateur in The 1998 Open Championship.
“I was really pleased at how comfortable I felt in that situation today, in the last group in the Masters on Sunday. I think that's when you learn a lot about yourself and that makes me very hungry to get there again very soon.
Justin Rose
“I'm really excited about the rest of the year now. It's a good momentum starter for me. I tried to really tell myself that this year is going to be about April to September, when the big tournaments come around, and that's when I want to play well.”
Given that the winning score in the last three years has been ten, nine and eight under par, World Number One Rory McIlroy will also be ruing his timing, having finished on 12 under par in his bid to complete a career Grand Slam.
“I’m happy with how I finished,” he said. “I just obviously left myself with a bit too much to do after 27 holes of this tournament and that's what really cost me.”
McIlroy will have to wait another year to attempt the Grand Slam, but if today is anything to go by, by that point a certain Texan star might have beaten him to it.
