At age 44, Justin Rose had come agonizingly close to winning his second major, only to fall to Rory McIlroy in a sudden-death playoff. On the back nine of his career, this may have been Rose’s last big chance at capturing another major title.
Masters Heartbreak
Before the first tee shot was hit during the final round at Augusta, Justin Rose was 7 shots back from the lead. Even through 9 holes, Rose was still far from threatening McIlroy. But a historic charge in the second 9 that saw Rose card 6 birdies left him within an arm’s length as he walked off 18. McIlroy’s bogey on 18 would see them face off in a playoff, which ended in McIlroy draining a birdie putt on the first extra hole to end it.
Even more heartbreaking for Rose is that this was not the first time his Master’s ended like this. This year’s Masters marked the second time Rose has lost in a playoff at Augusta, the first being in 2017 when Sergio Garcia edged him in another dramatic Sunday duel. But even experiencing it before a playoff loss at The Masters still hurts the same
“I was gutted when I walked off the course,” said Rose. “But I left it all out there. I played some of the best golf of my life on the back nine. I’m proud of that. But yeah… this one’s going to stay with me.”
And it should. Rose birdied six of the final eight holes to shoot a closing 66 and force a playoff, only to watch McIlroy drain a birdie putt on the first extra hole that ended it. While the golf world celebrated McIlroy’s historic grand slam, Rose was left to reflect on yet another missed Masters—his fourth top-five finish at Augusta without a win.
The Last Dance?
Rose has had a roller coaster of a year so far. In his 7 starts this year, he has missed the cut 3 times and had another T47 finish. But the rest of his starts have all finished inside the top 8. It’s fair to assume that when Rose has been on it, his game is as good as anyone’s.
He broke a long winless drought by capturing the 2023 Pebble Beach Pro-Am and followed it with solid performances throughout 2024, including a runner-up finish at the Open Championship at Royal Troon, even leading during the final round. But even when he’s not at the top of his game, we know the experience and nerve Rose has to get over the line.
Physically, Rose is still capable. His swing remains one of the most technically sound on Tour, and his fitness and discipline have helped him avoid the kind of injuries that derail many veterans. Mentally, he’s as sharp as ever—driven, focused, and equipped with over two decades of major championship experience. But the margins are razor-thin at the top, and the younger generation—Scheffler, Morikawa, Hovland—aren’t going anywhere.
His Next Chances
As for the upcoming majors, Rose’s chances are far from gone. He’s always been solid at the U.S. Open, which he won in 2013, and this year’s venue, Oakmont, rewards precision and experience. At Quail Hollow for the PGA Championship, he’ll need to keep pace with bombers, but his short game and scrambling could keep him competitive. The Open at Royal Porthcawl may actually present his best remaining chance. He’ll have the home crowd, the links experience, and the motivation.
“I’m not done,” Rose said during the RBC Heritage media day this week. “This loss hurts, yeah, but it’s also motivating. I know I can still win at this level. Augusta showed that.”
It’s anyone’s guess as to whether or not Rose’s confidence turns into silverware. What we do know is Rose doesn’t have many more chances being a couple of months away from the big 45. But if this Masters was Rose’s last, best chance at major No. 2, he didn’t go quietly. He fought, surged, and made it compelling. Maybe he showed there’s still one more great Sunday left in him.
