Justin Rose has returned to Royal Birkdale for another Open Championship, reflecting on his 28-year career as he prepares to compete on the fabled links.
The nostalgia surrounding Rose at Birkdale is inescapable. Back in 1998, Rose burst onto the scene at the course as a 17-year-old amateur. He famously holed out from 50 yards for a birdie on his final hole, finishing in a tie for fourth place. That performance confirmed the precocious talent that had almost seen him qualify for The Open at St Andrews three years earlier when he was only 14.
Immediately after turning professional, Rose missed 21 consecutive cuts. The well-documented slump could have broken many other players. Back in 1998, it appeared certain that Rose would win multiple major championships throughout his career. Although he has won only one major, the 2013 US Open at Merion, Rose insists he has no regrets as he arrives back at Birkdale in a reflective mood.
When asked if his career panned out the way he envisaged as a teenager, Rose said he would not trade his accomplishments for a fresh start. "The only way to answer it is would I want to do it again and think I could do better? I think I’d probably pass. I’d probably say I’ll stick [with what I’ve achieved]," Rose said. He noted that playing in another Open Championship 28 years later remains an amazing achievement and proof of his drive to keep competing.
Rose acknowledged that he could have achieved more in the sport. "Could I have done more? Could I have won more than what I’ve already won? Yes. Would I love to be a multiple major champion? Yes. Do I feel I could have pushed towards a grand slam? Yes," he said. He added that a little luck could have given him a very different career, but he remains proud of his record. Over his career, Rose reached world No 1 and won a major championship, an Olympic gold medal, and the FedEx Cup.
Rose explained that while everyone wants more success, many hazards can interrupt a long career. "There’s a lot of sideways and backwards moves available out here on tour," he said, citing injuries such as falling down stairs, foolish mistakes, and general life circumstances over 28 years. He hopes to use the freedom of being comfortable with his past achievements to elevate his game over the next few years rather than resting on his laurels.
Resurgence and Drive for Major Success
Rose finished in a tie for third at The Masters earlier this year, marking the latest near miss in his career at Augusta National. Now 45 years old, the Ryder Cup legend insists he feels a resurgence despite reaching an age where winning major championships becomes significantly harder.
His desire to win the Claret Jug remains as strong as ever, and doing so at Birkdale would carry special meaning. "I certainly feel a little resurgence for sure," Rose said. "I feel like I’m really enjoying the challenge of staying elite with my game." He explained that he now measures his career in key moments, asking himself if creating those memories is worth the growing physical and mental sacrifice.
To maintain his elite standard, Rose said he must be more disciplined than ever before. He tests his enduring passion for the sport through a simple evening routine. He asks himself if he can still enjoy playing golf by himself in the evening, carrying his own clubs under lengthening shadows. When the answer is yes, he knows his work ethic and love of the game remain intact to set ambitious new goals.
Rose described himself as naturally curious and competitive, two traits that continue to push him forward. "I’m not really sure what I’m capable of achieving, but I’m competitive, so I’m going to give it a go," he said.
Chasing the Claret Jug
For British players, Rose believes victory at The Open represents the pinnacle of professional golf. He admitted that finishing his career without lifting the Claret Jug would be a shame, particularly given his deep connection to Birkdale. However, Rose emphasized that The Open offers golfers the longest runway of opportunity to win a major, leaving him with plenty of time to succeed.
Equipment Switch to McLaren Irons
Shortly after The Masters earlier this year, Rose changed his clubs to all-new McLaren irons through a partnership with the Formula One world champions. Despite initial teething problems during the transition, Rose expressed confidence that the equipment is now tailored exactly to his specifications and fully dialled-in.
Rose said he is enjoying the development process and feels excited about refining the clubs for future competition. "The set of irons that I’m using are a byproduct of all the things that I want to see in a set of golf clubs," he added, comparing the project to running his own custom golf company. He stated that creating equipment tailored precisely to his vision of golf has made the experience a lot of fun.