Justin Rose makes devastating admission after Rory McIlroy wins second Masters title

Jack Otway
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:36:48 +0000

Justin Rose endured another agonising near-miss at Augusta National, watching a two-shot advantage evaporate during Sunday's final round of the Masters.

The 45-year-old Englishman had surged into the lead after recording four birdies across five holes through the ninth, appearing poised to finally claim the green jacket.

However, disaster struck at the notorious Amen Corner stretch, where Rose dropped consecutive shots at the 11th and 12th holes.

The collapse proved terminal to his title hopes, with the three-time runner-up unable to recover his earlier form.

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And Rose, speaking afterwards, admitted that he felt like it was another 'chance that got away'.

"I was really in control," he said.

"The mentality was to run through the finish line not just try and get it done. I was playing great, but just momentum shifted for me around the Amen Corner.

"Just a chance that got away obviously. I was by no means free and clear and was nowhere close to having the job done, but I was right in position."

Despite the damaging bogeys, Rose pinpointed a different hole as the decisive moment in his undoing.

After finding the green at the par-five 13th with an excellent approach shot, the Englishman inexplicably took three putts to hole out for par.

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"Just maybe off the back of two bogeys that was the one moment where four there really settles things down and gets me right back in it," he explained.

Throughout the round, Rose maintained an aggressive approach rather than attempting to protect his position.

The veteran golfer also expressed gratitude for the reception he received from spectators throughout the week at Augusta.

"The crowd was amazing to me all week long. They pulled for me all week long. I felt their encouragement and support," Rose said.

He acknowledged the atmosphere changed as his challenge faded, with the gallery's enthusiasm giving way to something more subdued.

"At the end it kind of goes a little flat. It's more of a sympathy than anything," he noted.

"It was still nonetheless very beautiful, but another little stinger."

Rose's final round of two-under-par 70 left him sharing third place on 10 under, alongside three other competitors.

Rory McIlroy claimed victory on 12 under, defeating Rose for the second successive year following their playoff encounter at the 2025 Masters.

Scottie Scheffler, the 2022 and 2024 champion, secured second place on 11 under after mounting a remarkable weekend charge from 12 shots adrift.

The world number one produced consecutive bogey-free rounds of 65 and 68, completing the extraordinary achievement of not dropping a single stroke across Saturday and Sunday at Augusta.