GOLF: Justin Rose owns Masters heartache in quest for elusive green jacket

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Justin Rose seemed bemused when asked about his place in Masters history, despite having his name etched on the trophy three times — each as a runner-up.

“Yeah, I guess,” Rose said with a wry smile during his press conference at Augusta National on Monday, drawing laughter from reporters.

Now 45 and preparing for his 21st Masters, Rose takes a pragmatic view of his three runner-up finishes, which include two playoff losses, most recently to Rory McIlroy last year.

“I’m very aware that I’ve been close here. I’ve had tough, tough losses,” he said. “I also enjoy this place, so I don’t want those three second-place finishes to create a different feeling for me.”

Despite his experience at Augusta, Rose does not see it as giving him a major advantage over the 91-player field. Subtle changes to the course each year mean that what he thinks he knows can change on any given hole.

“You can know everything in the world, but execution is what matters. If you’re not playing well, it doesn’t matter how well you know anything,” Rose said. “It’s an execution-based game. The golf course doesn’t care what I know — I have to make the right swing, read the break, control the speed, and do everything right, week in and week out.”

Rose, a major champion, Olympic gold medalist, and multiple Ryder Cup winner, set the tournament scoring record earlier this year to win the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Yet, many still ask about his five runner-ups in majors compared to his lone U.S. Open triumph 13 years ago.

“You can’t go through a career without a little heartbreak,” he said. “If you want to win, you have to be willing to be on the wrong side sometimes. The key is showing up, staying free in those moments, and chipping away. My day might still happen if a little goes my way.”

The win at Torrey Pines pushed Rose to No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking, though he has since dropped to No. 9 entering this week. He sees his T13 finish at The Players Championship as a positive sign of form.

Instead of playing the Valero Texas Open as he did last year, Rose practiced at Augusta last week, preparing for a tournament many view him as a favorite. History shows eight Masters runner-ups have claimed the green jacket the following year.

“I have to be aware of that, but I need my own narrative,” he said. “All I can do is turn up on Thursday and execute, and enjoy it on Monday. Those are the two things I can control.”

—Derek Harper, Field Level Media/Reuters