Justin Rose not only had to watch first-hand good friend Marc Leishman win the BMW Championship but the Englishman also conceded Leishman’s two sons easily won bragging rights over Rose’s own two children.
Rose found himself in the penultimate group behind Leishman at Conway Farms and as much as the Olympic Gold medal winner tried Leishman fought off everything his English rival threw at him.
Rose did get to within two strokes of the bearded Aussie when Leishman bogeyed the 13th but the dropped shot acted like a wake-up call with the Victorian birding the 15th and 16th holes to get back a four-stroke leading cushion.
And then for good measure the 33-year old Leishman further thumbed his nose as his rivals, including Rose, when he rolled-in a 20-foot birdie putt from the back fringe at the final hole for a sixth birdie of the day.
Leishman had waltzed to a five-shot victory and his sons, Harvey and Ollie could not have been more proud and excited.
“When I won the Arnold Palmer they ran onto the green but it was a little premature,” said Leishman.
“They saw the chance of a little hug and I kind of said to them, “Come on, get off.”
‘s toughest task over the four days in winning 2017 BMW Championship.
“But that one on 18 today was really special today so it was good to enjoy it with them and besides being in the last group there was no worry about getting out of the way for the guys behind us trying to win the tournament”.
In contrast, we remember the scenes at Royal Birkdale when Matt Kuchar, who had finished runner-up to Jordan Spieth, was greeted by his clearly upset children.
And while Rose’s two children, and particularly eight-year old Leo, may have been also upset in witnessing Rose lose a Masters play-off earlier this year, there certainly was no tears on this occasion.
“Marc’s a great golfer and it is a great win for him,” said Rose.
“Every time I play well I often notice Leishman is on the leader board along with me.
“We obviously play somewhat similar games because often when I play well he plays well.
“So, it’s great to see his family there. They’ve been through a lot, too. But all the way around the course his two little boys were basically giving it to Leo (smiling) which is fine.
“Marc maintained his five-shot lead. I went as far as I could. I didn’t really look at boards but I sensed close from the crowd reaction when I made the putt at 16.”
Rose’s effort, and his third second or share of second in 17 events this year, has moved him from 17th to eighth on the FedEx Cup standings and while he now cannot realistically capture the FedEx Cup he could still end his PGA Tour season with victory in the Tour Championship.
“Everyone knows you’re in the Top-5 and win the Tour Championship, you win the FedEx Cup,” he said.
“If you’re eighth like me you have had a good week. It’s a lot better than it was three weeks ago. I think it’s been a nice playoff run. If I can keep trending the way I have, I have a chance.”
