Justin Rose is one of the best golfers in the world. Sadly, he’s known more as the best golfer to play at Augusta without winning a Green Jacket.
That reputation was further enhanced Sunday after coming in second at the Masters for the second time, this time at the hands of Rory McIlroy, who became just the sixth man to ever win the career Grand Slam on the first hole of a sudden death playoff.
After leading the Masters at the conclusion of both the first and second rounds, then taking the lead again after draining a clutch birdie putt on his 72nd hole, Rose found yet another heartbreaking way to lose a major at Augusta.
Justin Rose of England leaves the 18th hole during the second round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. Justin Rose of England leaves the 18th hole during the second round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
A lot has been made of Rose holding down the lead at the Masters at the end of a tournament-record eight separate rounds without registering a win. It’s a record he already held coming into the tournament, extended on Thursday, then cemented after Friday’s round when he went into the weekend at the top of the leaderboard.
After being left for dead going into Sunday’s final round, down seven strokes to McIlroy when he teed off, he carded a gutsy 66 to put himself in position to exorcise the demons and win his first Green Jacket.
But ultimately, after McIlroy went legend with birdies on 15, 17 and on the playoff’s only hole to beat Rose by one stroke, all it got the 44-year-old Brit was his fifth career runner-up at a major, his 23rd Top 10, his 12th Top 5 and second playoff loss in as many chances at the Masters.
In fact, the last time the Masters went to a playoff was eight years ago when Rose lost to Sergio Garcia.
Now that McIlroy has gotten his own monkey off his back, perhaps all the goodwill he earned for winning this week will transfer to Rose, who’s already beloved by all the players on Tour. But that remains to be seen. And at 44, the chances are only getting more and more slim.
Justin Rose has had an amazing PGA career. But unfortunately, he has a cross to bear. And, like Rory before him, until he wins that elusive Masters, he’ll enter every tournament with that cross securely tattooed to his name.
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