Justin Rose has been runner-up three times at the Masters including, as we all know, a year ago in losing a play-off to Rory McIlroy.
Now in already a likely repeat to a year ago, the names McIlroy and Rose appear atop of the leaderboard late on the second day of this year’s 90th hosting of The Masters.
Rose grabbed five birdies in a three-under 69 for the then clubhouse lead at five-under, and doing so as McIlroy was on his way to birdieing three holes in succession from the second to fourth holes, and opening-up a two shot lead.
ROSE KNOWS ALL ABOUT @TheMasters ‘PROPER DANCE’ …
He’s @JustinRose99 finished Augusta runner-up three times, so needs no reminding what he needs to do to finish one place higher
Masters
✅ @TOURMISS pic.twitter.com/hhYprBwi18
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) April 10, 2026
Of course, with the rest of day two and also the weekend rounds remaining it goes without saying it remains anybodies Masters.
However after losing out in a play-off a year ago to McIlroy, there’s many who would dearly love to see come late Sunday afternoon, McIlroy fitting an Augusta National members green jacket to Rose.
Rose was asked post today’s round does he feel any different than a year ago, and does he draw on the Augusta scenario of a year ago in a quest to go one better a year on.
“No, I feel the same, which is good, “ said Rose. “I think if I can feel the same, that means I’m doing a lot of other good things because I’m not feeling older and stuff like that. I feel the same. I feel in good form. I feel in good spirits. Yeah, enjoying it.
“As for last year’s result being a motivation for this year. No not really.
“If’ I’m honest. It’s the obvious — of course I want to win this tournament. I don’t really need to try any harder; know what I mean? I think trying harder is — I just think the experience in that is probably trying harder ain’t going to help me.
“So that’s probably the dance I’m doing with myself. I know the intrinsic motivation is there. It’s about execution, and typically when you play your best golf, you’re always lighting it up rather than getting more intense.“
So well said, Justin.
