Justin Rose recently opened up about the emotional turmoil he experienced after losing in a second Masters playoff, an event that has left him with a sense of “torment” and a lingering feeling of what could have been. In 2025, Rose found himself on the losing side of a Masters playoff for the second time, after previously finishing as the runner-up to Sergio Garcia in 2017. This time, it was Rory McIlroy who claimed victory after Rose narrowly missed his birdie attempt on the first extra hole.
Rose had started the final round of the tournament seven shots behind McIlroy, but an incredible surge, including a birdie on the 18th, saw him set the clubhouse target with a remarkable 66. As McIlroy prepared to close out the win, he missed a short putt on the final hole of regulation, giving Rose a glimmer of hope. However, it was McIlroy who would hole a birdie from close range on the first extra hole to secure the victory, leaving Rose to reflect on what might have been.
In a press conference ahead of the RBC Heritage, Rose discussed his mixed emotions following the loss. While he acknowledged the outpouring of positive comments from fans and peers, he could not help but feel the disappointment of coming so close to victory. “Mixed emotions for sure,” Rose admitted. “A lot of outpouring from people with a lot of positive comments coming at me so trying to absorb that and absorb the week, but at the same time looking at my phone and wishing there was a different message there.”
Despite the heartbreak, Rose was quick to note that he did not feel down about his performance. He took solace in the fact that he had been able to put himself in a position to win, showcasing his skill and composure under pressure. “I certainly don’t feel down in any way, shape or form because of the performance I was able to put in and how I was able to feel putting in that performance,” Rose explained. However, the pain of narrowly missing out on victory was still present. “I’m tormented probably by the thought of what might have been,” he said.
The loss added to Rose’s growing list of near-misses in major tournaments. In 2015, he finished second at the Masters, and last year he was the runner-up at the Open Championship at Royal Troon. Despite the setbacks, Rose remains optimistic about his ability to compete at the highest level. He reflected on the close calls with a sense of pride, acknowledging that he had been in contention at two of the most prestigious tournaments in golf. “I was a stone’s throw away from winning the Open, winning the Masters. I would have been going for a grand slam at the PGA,” he remarked. “It’s like, it can be that close. I’ve got to believe that.”
Rose’s comments underscored his mental strength and resilience, even in the face of repeated disappointment. He believes that his performances in these major tournaments prove that he is capable of winning at the highest level, and he remains focused on continuing to create opportunities for himself. “The last two majors I’ve been right there and been beaten by the top players in the world at the peak of their game,” Rose said. “But on both occasions, I’ve felt like I’ve stepped up, I’ve hit the shots, I’ve played well, I’ve felt great, and I’m doing the right things to win.”
Looking ahead, Rose is determined to keep pushing forward, maintaining a high level of play and staying mentally strong in the pursuit of his first major victory. He knows that with each close call, the next opportunity could be just around the corner.
