U.S. Open champion Justin Rose likes that he’s not considered by most as a favorite to win this year’s Masters.
“It’s down to all you guys, but that’s cool with me,” he said Tuesday.
Of course, Rose likes his chances as he continues to prepare for his ninth Masters, thank you very much.
“I’ve been able to just go about my business and prepare the way in which I would like without any distractions, so I guess that’s all that matters,” he said.
Rose, whose odds of winning are 25-to-1, according to Yahoo, will begin his attempt to win his second major at 1:48 p.m. Thursday in a made-for-ESPN group that includes three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson and two-time second-place Masters finisher Ernie Els. So, even if others aren’t talking about him, it seems those at Augusta National are aware that Rose’s chances are better than normal.
The Golf Channel’s Frank Nobilo said Rose’s tempered nature and tendinitis in his right shoulder that caused him to miss few weeks earlier this year (Rose says he’s fine) have contributed to his under-the-radar status.
“He’s just one of the quiet men in golf,” Nobilo said.
Rose began to prepare for the Masters in a way similar to how he prepared for last year’s U.S. Open at Merion: quietly. He took the past two weeks off from competitive golf after failing to make the cut at Bay Hill.
Instead, Rose arrived in Augusta two weeks ago to practice for two days. Instead of arriving on a rainy Monday for this week’s tournament, he came in on Tuesday and sounded wise and confident in explaining why.
“In the past, I’ve always tried to get ready for Thursday, and now I try get to ready for Saturday and Sunday,” he said. “I try to assume my game will put me in contention and I try to get ready for that.”
Rose must overcome some history if he wants to win.
The first is more coincidental than substantive: An Englishman hasn’t won the Masters since Nick Faldo in 1996. The second can be traced to a combination of his own immaturity and lack of experience with the course.
Rose led after firing 67-71 in the first two rounds in 2004, but he stumbled early in Saturday’s third round and then began to “chase this golf course.”
The result was a hope-sinking 81.
“You’ve got to let it unravel,” Rose said of the lesson learned.
He bounced back and was in contention again in the final round of the 2007 Masters. But his tee shot ricocheted off a pine tree on No. 17, resulting in a double-bogey. He carded a 73 and finished tied for fifth, his best result in a resume full of good finishes at Augusta. He has made the cut every year since his debut in 2003 and never finished higher than tied for 39th. He has held the first-round lead and the second-round lead. He just needs to seal the deal.
Helping him will be the experience he gained at Merion last year, when he shot a par-70 in the final round to win. Nobilo said Rose has the game.
And Rose wants to add to his tally and fulfill his childhood dream of winning majors, a plural that he emphasized during his interview.
“At least knowing you’ve won a major championship and knowing that you’ve faced those emotions before and you’ve come through, it’s a huge benefit turning up here this week,” he said.
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