Justin Rose said, “I was really close to winning The Open and The Masters. If I had won, I could be chasing a Grand Slam at the PGA Championship in May. That’s how close it was.” You can watch Rose play at the RBC Heritage live on Sky Sports starting Thursday.
Justin Rose says he feels “tormented” thinking about what could have happened after losing another close Masters play-off.
Eight years after losing to Sergio Garcia at Augusta, Rose was again beaten in a play-off — this time by Rory McIlroy, who made a short birdie putt after Rose just missed his own.
Rose began the final round seven shots behind McIlroy but played brilliantly, making 10 birdies and finishing with a score of 66. He set the target score, and McIlroy missed a chance to win in regular play.
Rose, who was also second at the 2015 Masters and The Open in 2023, said, “It’s a mix of feelings. So many people have sent me kind messages, and I’m grateful. But at the same time, I can’t help but wish the result had been different.”
Justin Rose said he was very close to winning and could feel what it would be like to finally do it. He felt proud of how he played, but he’s still thinking about what could have happened — calling it “tormenting.”
Rose, who won the US Open in 2013, came second to Xander Schauffele in The Open last year. Now 44, he still wants to compete at the top level.
Speaking before the RBC Heritage, he said: “I take losing hard. I was so close to winning The Open and The Masters. If I had won, I’d be going for the Grand Slam at the PGA Championship. That’s how close it was, and I have to believe I can still do it.
“In both events, I lost to the best players in top form. But I played really well too and hit the right shots. I just need to keep playing at a high level to keep getting these chances.”
