Justin Rose says he produced among the best golf of his profession on the 89th Masters, however even with a 10-birdie last spherical, he didn’t depart Augusta Nationwide with a inexperienced jacket.
The 44-year-old Englishman, now a three-time Masters runner-up, misplaced a playoff to Rory McIlroy, unable to match the Irishman’s birdie on the first gap of sudden dying.
It was the second time that Rose has fallen in a playoff at Augusta, the place he misplaced to Sergio Garcia in 2017.
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“Yeah, it hurts,” admitted Rose, who captured his solely main title on the US Open in 2013 however was runner-up at The Open Championship at Troon final yr after qualifying to get into the sector.
That efficiency, and this week, have Rose believing that even in his 40s he can nonetheless add to a resume that features a spell atop the world rankings and Olympic gold at Rio in 2016.
“Undoubtedly I’m pleased with myself,” Rose mentioned after posting a six-under last spherical of 66.
“I performed nice golf right this moment.”
“We noticed a part of historical past right this moment. It’s a momentous day in golf.”
And Rose mentioned he would use this newest close to miss to spur him in what he has referred to as the Indian Summer season of his profession.
“I feel I already kicked on in my profession once I completed second to Sergio right here. However then performed among the greatest golf of my profession, acquired to world primary,” he mentioned.
“You possibly can’t skip by means of a profession and not using a little little bit of heartache.
“It’s not going to occur. Should you’re keen to elevate the large championships, you’ve to place your self on the road.”
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Rose was the primary to embrace McIlroy after the 35-year-old sealed victory, later revealing what he mentioned to the champion on the inexperienced.
“Hear, I used to be glad I used to be right here on this inexperienced to witness you win the profession grand slam,” Rose advised him.After two birdies and two bogeys within the first 5 holes on Sunday, Rose – who led after each the primary and second rounds – discovered his groove with birdies on the seventh and eighth.
He conquered Augusta Nationwide’s Amen Nook, rolling in a 58-foot birdie on the eleventh and a 17-footer at 12 earlier than coming near an eagle on the par-three thirteenth, the place he settled for a tap-in birdie.
Regardless of 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 on the 72nd gap that once more noticed him pull stage.
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“It’s the sort of putt you dream about as a child, and to have it and gap it, it was a particular feeling,” Rose mentioned.
McIlroy regained the lead with a birdie on the seventeenth, however bogeyed the ultimate gap of regulation to present Rose one other probability.
“Sadly, the playoff, they all the time finish so shortly,” mentioned Rose, who was on the inexperienced in two after they returned to the 18th for the playoff however then watched McIlroy’s strategy hit the inexperienced and roll inside 4 ft of the cup.
“That’s sudden dying.
“Should you’re not the man to hit the good shot or gap the good putt, it’s over.”
Requested about Rose in the course of the press convention, McIlroy responded: “He’s an incredible champion. He has displayed a lot grace all through his profession. I bear in mind watching the playoff in ’17 when he went up towards Sergio and that didn’t fairly go his approach, both. However he’s had an exceptional report round right here and I really feel for him as a result of he’s been so shut, and he’s buddy.”
He continued: “Hopefully he has a number of extra alternatives.”