Even while dealing with the pain of falling just short at the Masters for the third time, Justin Rose could appreciate just how much it meant for Rory McIlroy to finally conquer his Augusta National demons.
That’s why Rose offered McIlroy a tender message after McIlroy topped him on the first hole of a sudden death playoff on Sunday.
“I just said, ‘listen, this is a historic moment in golf, isn’t it, someone who achieves the career Grand Slam,’” Rose told CBS, as transcribed by golf.com. “I just said it was pretty cool to be able to share that moment with him. Obviously, I wanted to be the bad guy today, but still, it’s a momentous occasion for the game of golf.”
Rose had a valiant comeback to force the playoff, storming back from a seven-stroke deficit entering the day after being atop the leaderboard after the first two rounds.
McIlroy’s short putt miss on 18 gave Rose a chance to add to the Northern Irishman’s Masters heartbreak — previously finishing in the top 10 seven times, including a second-place finish in 2022.
Rose had also finished second at the Masters in 2015 and 2017.
With the pressure largely on McIlroy’s shoulders while he attempted to finally achieve a Grand Slam, the 35-year-old birdied the par-4 hole to edge Rose, who settled for a par.
McIlroy became the sixth player to ever achieve a career Grand Slam, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
“There were points in my career where I didn’t know if I would have this nice garment over my shoulders,’’ McIlroy said, caressing his newly minted green jacket. “I certainly didn’t make it easy. I was nervous. It was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on the golf course.’’
Rose, the 44-year-old Englishman, now has seven top-10 finishes to his name.
He seemed to take the defeat in stride.
“I gave it everything….Congratulations @McIlroyRory on winning the @TheMasters and completing the Grand Slam.. very cool sharing the green with you in that moment,” Rose tweeted Sunday .”Thank you Team🌹 as always for all the support during the week… We go again 👊🏻.”
