Until a few days ago Justin Rose was a golfer almost finished in the second row, ready to think more about the petrodollars of LIV Golf than the victories, the good ones. Then the 42-year-old Englishman conquered the Pebble Beach Pro-Am after four years of abstinence on the PGA and golf life smiled back on him.
Justin Rose, statements
He went from number 71 to 35 in the world rankings, he came back in the running for a place in the Ryder Cup in Rome and everyone remembered how good he is. The cell phone of the former number one in the world started ringing again for interviews, comments and analyses.
Someone asked him bluntly why in recent months he hasn’t made the leap, that is, accepted the flattery of Greg Norman and the Arab SuperLega. After all, among the protagonists of LIV Golf there are three of his best friends, namely Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson (historic partner in the Ryder Cup) and Ian Poulter.
All players who scored with Justin most of the 2000s of international golf. “I didn’t choose LIV Golf because I still want to play the Majors and all the tournaments that have a great history – Justin Rose told the BBC – on equally historic courses.
The Majors have been my childhood dream. I won one and I want to try again. And the same goes for the Ryder Cup.” In short, the game (wins on LIV Golf do not count towards the Ranking and whoever participates is out of the Ryder round) is not worth the candle.
It is no coincidence that the words come after the success on the PGA Tour (eleventh in his career) which guarantees him access to the next Masters and the PGA Championship. A great satisfaction for this Englishman, professional since 1998 and always professional.
Chapter Ryder Cup: Justin Rose has played five and would also like to be in Rome. It is clear that he would prefer to participate for merits won on the field and not through a wild card. Today he is in ninth place on the World Points List.
Justin Rose’s decision to stick with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour doesn’t change his mind about the existence of a third circuit. “With LIV Golf the European tour calendar has improved -he explains. I made my choice and I have no intention of going back.
At the same time, I believe that those who have given so much to the DP World Tour for twenty years should be taken into consideration.” The reference is to friends and colleagues who passed with the SuperLega and were banned from the rest of the circuits.
“Many of them were and remain my friends. They made a decision – says the Olympic gold medalist from Rio 2016 – and I respect it. We talk often and I wish them all the best.” A hearing is underway in England on the ban put in place by the DP World Tour and the sentence should not be long in coming.
