Rose answers all-important question about Masters dream after McIlroy heartbreak
Justin Rose has plenty of history at Augusta National, falling agonizingly short of the Green Jacket on three occasions, but that has not dented his confidence that 2026 could be his time
Justin Rose insists he has not been scarred by his Masters near misses as he prepares for another run at the elusive Green Jacket.
Rose is a three-time runner-up at Augusta National, most recently 12 months ago when he was beaten by Rory McIlroy in a playoff. The 45-year-old, ranked ninth in the world, refuses to succumb to father time and is playing some of the best golf of his career, winning the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour in February.
The Englishman has taken three weeks off to recharge his batteries for the challenge, and he says his close calls over the years have only grown his confidence.
READ MORE: Major champion has already noticed one big change to Augusta National before MastersREAD MORE: Masters champion writes himself off as contender for 2026 tournament
“It only boosts my belief that I can go ahead and do it,” he said. “I’ve pretty much done what it takes to win. I just haven’t kind of walked over the line. I feel like I’ve executed well enough to have done the job.
“From that point of view, I don’t feel like I have to find something in myself or do something different. I truly believe that. No, I don’t feel like [the Masters] owes me anything. I come here with a good attitude.”
He continued: “Yeah, of course, I look at it and think [the near misses] are racking up, but I think eight players have won this tournament after finishing second the year before, which probably increases my odds if you look at the field. I can look at that and go, ‘OK, that’s good.’
Rose has built a stellar career, with victories at the 2013 U.S. Open and the 2016 Olympic Games on his CV. He also had a stint as world No. 1, but there is a nagging question of what might have been for the 13-time PGA Tour winner due to his close calls at the Masters and The Open Championship.
A Green Jacket would put a fitting exclamation point on his career, but he insists he is driven by desire, not obsession.
“I’d say firmly in the desire camp, just because I know that the latter is not going to help me. It’s probably professional discipline just to keep it in the desire realm,” he said.
“I think I probably wouldn’t let myself go down the other path. That probably won’t be fruitful. Professionally, I’m not going to do that.”
One man who does not share Rose’s confidence this week is Sergio Garcia, the man who beat him here in a playoff nine years ago. The LIV Golf member cut a dejected figure when he spoke to reporters on Monday after a difficult start to the year.
“Not super happy at the moment, but we’re working, and we’ll see what happens throughout the week,” the 46-year-old said. “At the moment, I’m not feeling amazing.”
