Justin Rose has revealed what he said to Rory McIlroy after his Masters heartbreak on Sunday, as the 44-year-old admitted it was a ‘momentous occasion’ for golf despite missing out on his first Green Jacket.
For a second time at Augusta, Rose fell in a playoff while McIlroy – after an agonizing missed putt on 18 – was able to finally triumph at the tournament.
The pair embraced following the painstaking finish, with Rose later telling CBS what he said to McIlroy.
‘I just said to him this is a historic moment in golf. It’s pretty cool to share that moment with him,’ he said.
‘I wanted to be the bad guy today but it’s a momentous occasion for the game of golf.’
Rose sank an incredible 10 birdies on Sunday but also bogeyed four times as McIlroy went on to narrowly hold him off in the sudden death contest.
Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose embraced after the former won the Masters in a playoff
Rose narrowly lost to McIlroy, and it’s the second time he’s been defeated in a Masters playoff
Rose is seen walking by McIlroy as he celebrated with his daughter after winning the Masters
The Englishman’s last birdie of the day came on the 18th hole, when he nailed a 20-foot putt to push his score to 11-under and give him the co-lead alongside McIlroy.
McIlroy could have avoided a playoff with a par on 18, but flubbed a short putt to extend the tournament.
He ultimately held his nerve in the playoff after a spectacular approach shot, birdying for the win while Rose had to settle for par.
For Rose, it’s the second time he’s lost in a Masters playoff, as he previously fell to Sergio Garcia at the final hurdle in 2017.
Nonetheless, the Englishman rolled back the clock with his performance in Augusta this week, and fans were impressed by the composure he showed afterwards as he spoke to CBS following the gut-wrenching finish.
‘Massive respect for Justin Rose after the interview he just gave,’ one wrote. ‘Absolute class in defeat. ‘Hope to see him battling for it again next year.
‘Big Justin Rose fan after that interview,’ another added. ‘That was solid.’
‘Justin Rose: Great and gracious. Didn’t waste a syllable in his interview,’ a third said.
