Justin Rose believes his goal of capturing a second U.S. Open title in three years could hinge on the behaviour of American fans.
Twice in recent weeks a minority of beer-fuelled Stateside louts have made their presence felt with some of Europe’s best player in contention for victory.
There was incidents involving Spain’s Sergio Garcia when in the frame for success at the Players Championship and then last week Rose was far from pleased when a lout shouted on the Englishman’s downswing at the 14th hole during the final round of the Memorial.
Justin Rose suggests a second U.S. Open success could hinge of Chambers Bay crowd behaviour. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
It caused Rose to drop a shot before eventually losing out in a play-off in capturing a second Memorial title in five years as well as a sixth PGA Tour crown and a second this season.
And also after playing two of three Ryder Cup’s in the States and next week a 10th U.S. Open Rose can be excused when he tees-up at Chambers Bay in suburban Tacoma in feeling a little apprehensive.
“They are still very isolated incidents to be honest and I’ve got to say that when I was coming down the stretch last Sunday I felt like I had good support and I was the favourite to win of the guys who were in contention, so I don’t feel hard done by that in any way,” he said.
“But there were definitely a couple of guys who’d had a few beers behind the 14th. I think the intention was to say ‘get in hole’ the moment I hit the bunker shot but his timing was poor and it just happened to be on my downswing.
“It caught me by surprise a little bit and when you drop a shot like that and end up losing in the play-off it disappoints you.
“But then I am not the first player to have had that happen and it will happen again.
“It is a professional sport and in other sports the players are encouraged to play through the noise. It’s just in golf we get very conditioned to a certain quiet with no distractions.
“However we are being forced to become entertainers more now than we ever used to be. The ropes have been brought in close because every sponsor is trying to give the fans more access to us to enhance the spectator experience.
“That means more distractions for the players but the fact is that means we are playing for more money so you can’t have it both ways. If you want sponsorship and you want crowds to be there then you have to put up with some of the inevitable stuff that comes along with it.”
However there’s no ignoring Rose’s record heading next week to suburban Tacoma with a win and two seconds this year.
“I am in the form of my life at the moment,” said Rose.
“I’ve improved over the last few years and I’m in the middle of the prime of my career.
“I have four or five very good years behind me and I think I can have four or five great years ahead of me. I believe that I’m going to have many chances to win Major Championships, I’m going to put myself in contention many in the next five, possibly 10 years.”
