Justin Rose, 46, of England is one of the greatest runners-up in Masters history. When Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland completed the career Grand Slam — only the sixth in golf history — at last year's Masters, Rose played a starring supporting role by pushing McIlroy to a playoff. Rose fired a final-round 66 with 10 birdies, including a 6-meter birdie putt on the 18th hole. He lost after conceding a birdie in the playoff, but the applause for Rose was no less generous.
On Monday at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, ahead of the 90th Masters (April 9–12), heavy rain forced an early course closure in the afternoon. The merchandise shop shut its doors, and spectators reluctantly headed for the exits. The only areas that remained open into the late afternoon were the driving range and the adjacent practice green. Only about five players stayed behind — and one of them was Rose.
Nearly all the players still working on their shots and putts late in the day were rookies with little Masters experience. Yet Rose, making his 21st Masters appearance, was grinding away with the care and tenacity of a first-timer in his final preparations.
When the rain paused, he engaged in an animated discussion with his putting coach on AimPoint green reading — a method of gauging slope by feeling the gradient underfoot and using raised fingers to determine the stroke's aim point. When the rain resumed, he threw on a rain jacket and kept rolling putts.
After his Masters runner-up finish last year, Rose won the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August. He continued his momentum into this year by winning the Farmers Insurance Open in January, lifting his PGA Tour victory tally to 13. Well into his mid-40s, Rose — whose surname means an unfading flower — is making his presence felt more than ever.
Rose has finished runner-up at the Masters three times. The 2013 U.S. Open champion capturing a second major title at Augusta — 13 years after his first — could generate buzz rivaling McIlroy's story last year.