Justin Rose left to reflect on another close call at a grand slam

Phil Casey 10:38 18/08/2015
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  • Not his week: Justin Rose.

    Justin Rose was one over par when he won his first major championship in the US Open at Merion in 2013.

    In 2015, the Ryder Cup star has played both the Masters and US PGA in 14 under par and the Open Championship in 11 under, but has no more silverware to show for it.

    — The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 17, 2015

    “I’ve played good golf in the majors this year and I’m a lot under par,” said Rose after finishing fourth behind Australia’s Jason Day at Whistling Straits on Sunday. “It just hasn’t been my week in any of them. But I’m not disappointed, Jason deserves it. He has been knocking on the door more than anybody and he finished 20 under par in a major championship.

    “On this course there were birdies, but if you hit one or two errant shots you are going to pay for it.”

    Just one errant shot effectively put paid to Rose’s chances in the final round, his approach to the 13th finding an awkward spot in a greenside bunker and leading to a double-bogey six.

    – Jason Day to Tiger Woods: PGA Championship winners & losers
    – VIDEO: Emotional Day reflects on PGA Championship victory
    – VIDEO: Spieth: “PGA Championship the best loss I’ve ever had”

    The 35-year-old was Day’s closest challenger at the time after four birdies in the first 11 holes, but dropped five shots off the pace and eventually had to settle for a third top-six finish – and cumulative total of 34 under par – in this year’s majors.

    “I did all I could really through the front nine and when I made the turn I really got in the tournament,” Rose said.

    “The double bogey on 13 took the wind out of my sails. That’s the thing about this golf course, there’s birdies to be had, but if you get in the wrong spot you can get up a double real quick and unfortunately that’s what happened to me on 13, which was very untimely. I thought coming into this week that 14 under par would be great. Actually it’s ironic that’s what I finished on, but I thought that would be a winning score.

    “There’s always disappointment (but) I don’t think it will change my life. Winning changes your life.

    “I played well, just more evidence that my game is there and ready to compete again and win a major championship. So you take confidence from it.

    “Winning obviously was the goal, especially when you’re kind of that close. You finish third, second, fourth, it doesn’t make much difference.”

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