Shinnecock Hills, NY ….
In his now 20-year pro career Justin Rose has won 22 professional tournaments on five different continents.
Fifteen of those victories have come for Rose since turning 30.
Of course, Rose also captured the 2013 U.S. Open but in heading into what is a 13th U.S. Open appearance the father of two, and who turns 38 later next month, reckons he’s in the ‘sweet spot’ of his golfing career.
It was Rose’s response on the eve of the year’s second Major when asked where the golfer, who can go to World No. 1 this week with victory at Shinnecock Hills, saw himself in the bigger frame of men’s professional golf
“Well, hopefully, I’m in the sweet spot. I feel like I’d like to have that little bit of an old school approach where guys tend to mature into their 30s,” he said.
“We have seen that shift in the last ten years or so, and that could be the Tiger factor now kicking in. He’s been out here 20-plus years. So we’ve seen the kids that were very impressionable watching him go through his best spells, that we’re seeing the by-product of that now.
Justin Rose reckons he’s in ‘The Sweet Spot’ heading into this week’s US Open. (Photo @usopen)
“So it has shifted younger, but I feel like experience and all of those great attributes that have historically held players in good stead and allowed them to win Majors into their 30s, that still is incredibly valuable. That’s never going to go away.
“There is players like myself and Adam Scott and Sergio, the ’80s babies, we’re all pretty much a similar age. We’re that generation that’s somewhat in the middle. I think we’re still fit, healthy, still hit the ball a long way, still have all the attributes the young players have, and just with added experience.
“These types of championships are hopefully some of our best shots, to be honest with you.”
Victory this week on New York’s Long Island would see Rose go to World No. 1 but for Rose becoming the game’s best is not a burning goal but more a by-product of playing well.
“I’m in the great position where world ranking, becoming World No. 1 is going to be a byproduct of winning this week,” he said.
“So I may as well just continue to focus on the winning. That’s where the points are. That’s where the fun is, to be honest with you. I couldn’t think of a better scenario than to win a Major, to win a golf tournament, and to become World
No. 1.
“There are scenarios that — you know, Memorial was an interesting one. I could have finished second there and become World No. 1. So it’s nicer to keep focus on the winning. It keeps things cleaner mentally. It keeps things simple. I don’t know where any scenarios are this week.
“All I’m focusing on is, for me, winning Major championships has been my dream as a kid.
“A World No. 1 is a really cool thing to say at some point in your career, but it’s not my primary focus. My primary focus is winning the tournaments that will get me there.”
Rose heads again a large contingent of England-born players and will be teeing off at 12.30pm UK time Thursday and in the company of fellow Major Champions Louis Oosthuizen and Jimmy Walker.
