England’s Justin Rose is being hailed as the new king of European golf after his victory at the Volvo Masters gave him the Order of Merit title for 2007.
Since bursting on to the scene as an 18-year-old in 1998, much has been expected of the English Rose. He initially struggled to live up to those expectations.
However, he has matured as a player and his naturally serene demeanor has helped him finally reach the heights his immense talent deserves.
Rose, who beat Simon Dyson and Soren Kjeldsen in a play-off at the Valderrama Club, had a bit of a nightmare time when he first turned pro, missing cut after cut.
However, he never lost confidence in his game and said at the time that he would one day fulfil his potential.
The Observer’s Bill Elliot quotes him as saying at the time:
“Don’t worry about me. I believe in my ability to play this game. I’ll be okay. I’ll make it one day.â€
Indeed, he has made it. The Johannesburg-born Rose has gone through a range of emotions since entering the limelight at the 1998 British Open.
His father, Ken, who was a pillar of support during his golfing career, passed away in 2002 and last year, Rose got married. Both events helped to teach him about what is important in life.
“It’s been a long trip since 1998. It’s had its moments when it’s been tough. Missing all those cuts, losing my dad, just growing up really. It has toughened me up and made me appreciative of the good times. It’s taught me also that you’ve got to work hard, got to dedicate yourself. Dad’s passing put a lot of things into perspective for me as did getting married last year. Golf is what I do, means a lot to me. It’s what I am, but it is not who I am.â€
For those who only know him as a golfer, it has been a pleasure watching him mature.
Justin Rose is a very talented, unasumming gentle giant of golf. Beware the tiger, beware the thorn of the rose.
I have previously aired my views on Justin Rose. I have confidently expected him to reach the top during the last two seasons. There have been times when he has played magical golf, 62’s etc and then let himself down with a very poor 3rd or 4th round.
Now that he has made the breakthrough there will be no stopping his progress and he could be the main threat to Tiger for the next few years.
He hits a very long ball with the fairway woods and is very accurate with his irons. His putting can be fantastic and his general play around the greens matches most everybody else. So, he has all the attributes to keep his game at the top plus what is known as ‘Bouncebackability’ which enables him to quickly forget a bad shot, or round. I hope to see him win something big in 2008.
Another young player with the same type of appearance and mental attitude is Brent Snediker. He should also have a very good season this coming year.