Justin Rose insists he “owes nothing” to Augusta National as he looks to avenge last year’s playoff heartbreak and spate of near-misses at the Masters.
The former world No. 1 has already won the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour this season, and had an impressive run at the Masters, finishing third and runner-up after a narrow loss to Rory McIlroy 12 months ago.
In 2015, Jordan Spieth won his first major title and Rose finished tied for second place, but in 2017 he lost in a playoff to Sergio Garcia after missing the back nine by two strokes.
Rose is one of the players aiming to win a major at the Masters.
Since that disappointment, he has recorded 10 top-10 finishes at majors, including a runner-up to Xander Schauffele at the British Open in 2024 and a playoff loss to McIlroy at the Masters the following April.
“I hope it (the near miss) strengthens my belief that I can go ahead and (win the Masters),” Rose said. “I feel like I pretty much did what I needed to do to win. I just haven’t crossed the line yet. I feel like I performed well enough to get the job done.”
“From that standpoint, I don’t feel like I need to find something within myself to do something different. I truly believe that. I don’t feel like I owe (Augusta National) anything. I’m coming here with a good attitude. I’m coming here thinking this is a place I enjoy.”
Rose has seven total top-10 finishes at the Masters, including three runner-up finishes.
‘I gave it my all’ Rose missed the match against McIlroy
Rose held a three-stroke lead from the first day of last year’s contest and held a one-shot advantage heading into the weekend, but he made a dramatic comeback on Sunday after a third-round 75 dropped him to seven strokes.
“When you realize you’re that close, you can taste the victory,” Rose admitted. “You know what it would be like if it was the other way around, I knew what it was like.
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Rory McIlroy and some of golf’s most recognizable faces look back at the moment he achieved his lifelong dream of winning the Masters and completing a lifetime Grand Slam.
“You could see the celebration. Everything was unfolding before my eyes. I was living as if I was going to win, and I was feeling everything, although of course there were no real positive emotions that came with it.”
“Honestly, I feel like Saturday afternoon was a missed opportunity. Saturday is the day I’m frustrated and angry. 40 putts, 38 putts, crazy things like that. That was a real missed day, but I did a great job on Sunday. I went home Sunday feeling like I gave it my all.”
Rose congratulated McIlroy after the Northern Irishman completed his career Grand Slam last April.
If he wins this year, Rose, who turns 46 in July, would be the second-oldest Masters winner in history, just one year younger than Jack Nicklaus in 1986 when he won the last of his 18 major titles.
“On a day-to-day level, I don’t think about (age),” Rose insisted. “I’m glad that the narrative around this work is mostly positive rather than negative.
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Sky Sports News reporter Jamie Weir counts down to the Masters in Augusta. What are the chances for this year’s English winner?
“There’s definitely a motivation there to keep going and keep pushing and finding new habits and new ways to try to get better, but I understand that getting better is a pretty difficult ambition at this stage in my career.
“I feel like there are still parts of my game that can be greatly and easily improved without being affected by age. I think I still really enjoy what I do, and that’s the most important thing. When you’re having fun, you don’t feel your age.”
Who will win the Masters? Watch the opening round of this year’s Major exclusively live on Sky Sports from 9th to 12th April. Live coverage of the first round will begin on Sky Sports Golf from 2pm on Thursday. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract
