Justin Rose character shines after Rory McIlroy 'selfish' comments

Irish Daily Mirror

3 days ago

Justin Rose has revealed the mentality that allowed him to secure the St Jude Championship on Sunday.
The 45 year old achieved a historic feat by becoming the oldest European golfer to claim victory on the PGA Tour. Throughout the competition, Tommy Fleetwood looked set to capture his maiden PGA title in Memphis.
Despite maintaining a two-stroke lead with just three holes remaining, Fleetwood's par on the 16th allowed his rivals to narrow the deficit, eventually creating a tie between Rose and US Open winner JJ Spaun at 16-under-par. Rose prevailed in their three-hole playoff to secure the 12th PGA triumph of his career.
The Englishman, who finished runner-up to Rory McIlroy at the Masters in April, explained how his calculated approach had helped him stay consistent and achieve success at the St Jude Championship. He remarked during his press conference: "I've always known I've had that. Rory McIlroy has previously shared his thoughts about Justin Rose (Image:)
"Like I get nervous for the best of them, you know, like I feel nervous at times, but I know that when it matters, I still got it. I kind of get, I feel better and better and better as it gets more and more important.", reports Belfast Live.
"So that's good to know. It's the hard stuff to practice. It's the hard stuff to teach. Nice to know that that hasn't left me at this ripe old age.
"But listen, I don't want to keep saying that because I'm actually, I feel like I'm moving well. The body's feeling good. I'm training well. Yeah, I feel like there could be, you know, listen, it could be a good run of golf still. So I can't let the age kind of become too much of the story."
Rose garnered widespread respect for his reaction to McIlroy's playoff victory at the Masters as the Northern Irishman finally clinched his career Grand Slam. When asked about Rose, McIlroy was glowing in his praise for his five-time Ryder Cup teammate. Justin Rose won his 12th PGA title at the St Jude Championship in Memphis (Image: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
He said: "He's [Rose] a great champion. He has displayed so much grace throughout his career. You know, selfishly, I was happy that it was another Euro in the playoff.
"We're on a good run at the minute. We're [in a] Ryder Cup year and all that. He's had a phenomenal record around here, and I feel for him a little bit because he's been so close. He's a good friend, and hopefully, he has a few more opportunities."
Rose captured the 2013 US Open but has subsequently finished as runner-up or joint second at five major championships. McIlroy knows him well from their time representing Team Europe, helping deliver four Ryder Cup victories together, and they will reunite once more later this year.
Rose was delighted with his finish to the final day to claim the St Jude Championship, seeing his hard work pay off. He added: "I hit a couple good putts in regulation and in the first playoff hole as well.
"Obviously JJ dropped a bomb on me, I topped him. It was a lot of fun today. That's why I practice. That's why I play. I've been saying for some time now, obviously Augusta, when I bring my best, I know I'm good enough to play and to compete, and to now win against the best players in the world. Very gratifying day for me and a lot of hard work coming to fruition."