Canada Sport News

Justin Rose reacts emotionally as Xander Schauffele wins Open Championship title
  • news
    •

    Justin Rose reacts emotionally as Xander Schauffele wins Open Championship title

    TROON, Scotland — It felt like a must-have putt for Justin Rose as he tried to keep pace with Xander Schauffele on No. 12 at Royal Troon on Sunday.

    Rose kneeled for a closer peek and stepped to the ball. The 21-footer looked good and the crowd was ready to erupt. It caught the left side of the cup, though, and lipped out.

    Rose tossed his putter in the air, catching it on the way down. His Open Championship dream was dented, and Schauffele surged to the title.

    Rose’s lone bogey of the day dropped him a shot behind Schauffele and two strokes back of then-leader Thriston Lawrence.

    The 43-year-old Englishman — carrying the hopes of the country in search of a champion — never caught up.

    “Just a critical moment midway through the back nine just momentum-wise,” he said. “Obviously, Xander got it going. I hit a couple of really good putts that didn’t fall, and then suddenly that lead stretched.”

    Schauffele birdied the next two holes to pull away. They both picked up a shot on the 16th, but it was settled by the time Rose birdied the last to card a 4-under 67.

    Rose finished tied for second with Billy Horschel on 7-under overall, two shots behind Schauffele.

    Rose, the 2013 U.S. Open champion, briefly led by one shot Sunday after his birdie at the par-5 fourth. He had plenty of support from the home fans. There was even a dude braving the Firth of Clyde supporting Rose.

    “In terms of how I played and the execution of my emotions today, my mindset, I left it all out there. I’m super proud of how I competed,” he said.

    Closing out his weekend with a birdie was about “being a professional,” he said.

    “Then I walk 10 steps later, and I’m choking back tears. So that’s the shift. Yeah, just personal, and enjoying 18 with the fans too. I just think it’s such an amazing stage,” he said. “For me, like that’s the best look in golf, those two long grandstands that you walk down and the big yellow leaderboard. That’s what I associate as a magic moment.”

    Rose wasn’t considered a favourite coming into the week. In fact, he had dropped out of the top 50 in the world ranking and went through a qualification tournament to earn his spot at the Open, where he also had a share of second place at Carnoustie in 2018 when Francesco Molinari won.

    “I’ll have a few more chances, of course, but you know that this is a great opportunity today. You want to walk off the golf course going, ‘Yeah, I didn’t squander that,’” he said.

    “I ran putts at the hole today. I feel like I had opportunities. I felt like I took a lot of them,” he added. “But I felt super comfortable out there, which the fact that I haven’t really been in contention much this year, that gives me a lot of heart.”

    More from Sportsnet
    Schauffele wins second major, thanks in no small part to having won already his first


    Xander Schauffele claims second major with masterpiece at Open Championship

    Justin Rose, a seasoned golfer with multiple major championships under his belt, recently experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as Xander Schauffele emerged victorious at the Open Championship. The prestigious tournament, held at the historic Royal St. George’s Golf Club, saw Schauffele clinch his first major title in dramatic fashion, leaving Rose to grapple with a mix of disappointment and admiration.

    Rose, known for his stoic demeanor on the course, could not hide his emotions as he watched Schauffele sink the final putt to secure the win. The Englishman had been in contention throughout the tournament, displaying his trademark precision and skill on the challenging links course. However, a few missed opportunities and a final round that did not go according to plan ultimately left him just short of the coveted Claret Jug.

    In a post-round interview, Rose expressed a range of emotions, from disappointment at falling short of victory to pride in his performance and respect for Schauffele’s impressive play. He acknowledged that golf is a game of highs and lows, and that sometimes things do not go as planned despite one’s best efforts. Despite his disappointment, Rose remained gracious in defeat, congratulating Schauffele on his well-deserved win.

    The Open Championship is known for its unpredictable nature and the drama that unfolds on its challenging courses. This year’s tournament was no exception, with Schauffele emerging as a worthy champion and Rose showcasing his resilience and competitive spirit. As golf fans around the world watched the drama unfold, they were reminded of the emotional rollercoaster that comes with competing at the highest level of the sport.

    In the end, Justin Rose’s reaction to Xander Schauffele’s Open Championship victory serves as a reminder of the passion and dedication that drives professional golfers to compete at the highest level. While victory may elude them at times, their ability to handle both success and disappointment with grace and humility is a testament to their character and sportsmanship. As Rose looks ahead to future tournaments, he will no doubt draw on this experience to fuel his determination and continue striving for success on the golf course.