Augusta (United States) (AFP) – Justin Rose expressed disappointment at failing to shed his “nearly man” tag at the Masters as a final-round lead slipped out of his grasp down the back nine on Sunday. Rose, 45, has never won the Masters despite finishing runner-up at Augusta National on three occasions, including two nail-biting playoff defeats.
On Sunday, Rose started brightly and seized a two-shot lead at the turn, but ultimately had to settle for a share of third after three bogeys on the back nine. “Just a chance that got away obviously,” Rose told reporters, describing the latest loss as “another little stinger.” “I was by no means free and clear and was nowhere close to having the job done — but I was right in position,” he said.
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Having started the final day three shots off the lead, the English veteran scored a scintillating 32 on the front nine. With overnight leaders Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young faltering, Rose found himself with a two-shot lead at the turn. “I was really in control, first ten holes… And the mentality was to run through the finish line, not just try and get it done,” he said.
But as he approached the daunting section of Augusta National known as “Amen Corner”, Rose’s challenge came undone, with bogeys on the 11th and the par-three 12th, where he fluffed a chip from the fringe. He appeared to have restored his momentum by reaching the par-five 13th green in two. But his eagle attempt ran wildly past the hole, and he failed to even make birdie. “Clearly too aggressive with it,” he reflected. “Maybe just lost my patience there a little bit off the back of two bogeys… Those are the little things that end up costing you,” Rose told Sky Sports.
Despite a birdie at 15, another bogey on the 17th meant Rose’s long wait for the green jacket continues. Just 12 months ago, Rose had lost a playoff to McIlroy. In 2017, he also lost an Augusta playoff, to Sergio Garcia. While those sudden death losses felt like a “flick of a coin,” this year “was an opportunity to do better, so obviously that is frustrating for sure,” said Rose.
He expressed gratitude for the vocal support he received from the crowd. “I think people just know I play hard, I try hard, I’ve been close,” said Rose. “I’ll come back next year and give everything, of course,” he said.
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