World No. 1 Justin Rose will tee-up in this week’s inaugural Saudi International looking to continue a ‘dream start’ to his new season.
Rose, 38 arrived in the oil-rich nation after capturing last week’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
The win was Rose’s 24th success worldwide and also a 10th on the PGA Tour along with just a second win of his career in the month the month of January but of more surprise, it was just his second tournament using Honma clubs after being for so long a TaylorMade staff player.
“The last time I won in January was 2002, so it’s definitely a dream start to the season,” said Rose.
“I’m ready for a big year in 2019. I’ve been saying for a year or two that I’m in the prime of my career. Now is a time for me to really go on and achieve what I hope are my dreams.
“I said to one my one of my management guys before Sunday morning, that it was either going to be a nice trip to Saudi or it’s going to be a long, difficult trip to Saudi.
World No. 1 Justin Rose has the world in his hands ahead of this week’s inaugural Saudi International. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
“Clearly after winning, it was a great trip, and so far, so good. I came out to the course yesterday. Just didn’t do much and hit some putts. Chipped and putted and tried to stay awake for the most part of the day. Last night, the first full night’s sleep is the key to settling in and I had a good night’s sleep last night.
“So, hopefully the journey for the most part is done now and I can focus on the performance and playing well this week”.
Rose will tee-off 7.55am (local time) Thursday in the company of World No. 2 Brooks Koepka and long-time good friend, Henrik Stenson and currently ranked No. 35 in world.
And caddying for Rose will be Stenson’s long-time former caddy, Gareth ‘Lordie’ Lord and with Stenson and Lord parting company at the end of last year and with Lord caddying for Stenson, including last week at Torrey Pines, while Rose’s regular caddy, Mark’Fooch’ Fulchar recovers from heart surgery.
“I said to my caddie, Fooch, I think I’m ready for a big year in 2019 and he looked at me like, was ’18 not big enough. I was sort of half-serious,” said Rose smiling.
“I thought that I was growing into some really good form and my coach, Sean Foley, he texted me on the first of January and he said, “Happy new day.”
“So it’s kind of — that gave me the mentality of, and I think changes from December 31 to January 1, it’s not this sort of mythical, now that’s over with and now you’ve got to start something new. It’s a continuation.
“I felt good about where I was at. The beginning of the year always gives you like a renewed motivation, I suppose. You can build fresh goals and a fresh start. But I felt like I could take all the confidence from 2018, move it into 2019, but going to have a bit of renewed enthusiasm, and I think also, the change of equipment and what-have-you, that’s also given me — it’s freshened me up as well and given me incentive to work harder and really try and improve.
“All the changes that I have been made have been made around pushing myself to become an even better player, and looking for the sort of small ways in which I can do that.”
Rose has again deflected questions, and as he had done at his winner’s press conference last Sunday at Torrey Pines, with relation to competing in Saudi Arabia on this occasion criticism being levelled by the controversial TV analyst, Brandel Chamblee
“For me, I think I can only commend the organisers vision in terms of growing the game of golf here in Saudi Arabia,” said Rose.
“That’s the industry in which I live. I’m not qualified to speak on any other subjects to be honest with you on great detail or authority.
“Between now and 2030, there’s a big push here for golf. Many, many courses are going to be developed. Hopefully golf is a conduit to bridging the gap between this region and how we perceive golf in the western world.
“Who knows, 20, 30 years ago, Abu Dhabi looked somewhat similar to here and Dubai, we’ve all seen the growth and what’s possible in these regions, and can only support the vision.
“And I think having the top three players in the world and many other great players here, we’re all here to support growing the game of golf, and golf is our industry. So that’s all I can speak to.”
