Justin Rose ‘very motivated’ by US PGA Championship challenge at Southern Hills | Golf News

May 15, 2022 admin

Justin Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019 and missed the cut in the Masters for just the second time in his career last month; watch PGA Championship this week, live on Sky Sports Golf

Last Updated: 15/05/22 2:03pm

Justin Rose has not tasted victory on the tour since 2019

Justin Rose is adamant he retains the drive and ambition to get his career back on an upward trajectory as he prepares for this week’s US PGA Championship at Southern Hills, live on Sky Sports Golf.

Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019 and missed the cut in the Masters for just the second time in his career last month following two rounds of 76.

Such results have seen the former world No 1 sitting outside the top 50 for the first time in more than a decade, yet Rose is relishing the challenge as he looks to win more of the game’s biggest titles.

“I feel like it’s a valuable little reset I have,” Rose told the PA news agency. “I’ve always tried to pride myself on how I play in majors and that’s obviously the goal right now.

“I’m working hard and feeling very motivated, to be honest with you.

“I think that’s what playing badly gives you. It tells you what you’ve got to do to play better and sometimes that work will either feel daunting or exciting and I actually feel quite excited by the challenge of the work and the practice.

“That’s kind of been how I’ve always operated. Sometimes it hasn’t been the smoothest career but whenever my back has been against the wall, it does inspire me to do what it takes to get out of the position.”

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Justin Rose sent his tee shot into the hazard on the penultimate hole of his match against Adam Scott the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, only to make a hole-out par from the drop zone to extend the contest!

Asked if he still has the determination to get back to the top, Rose added: “One hundred per cent. I’m 41, time is ticking and you don’t have forever to achieve those goals so it does feel like there’s an intensity to the work.

“There’s still that belief there and that’s the most important thing. I still believe I have some fantastic days ahead of me on the golf course. I still feel very capable, my body’s feeling good, I’ve got the experience under my belt.

“It’s now down to form and execution and I feel like those parts of the puzzle are what you need. I definitely feel like I’m working smarter and in better directions and am gaining more direction.

Rose finished 12th when Southern Hills last staged the US PGA Championship in 2007 during an August heatwave which prompted a welcome, kind gesture from one of his fellow players.

“I remember having thick black socks and complaining about how hot my feet were, and the next day there were 12 pairs of really nice thin, white socks in my locker courtesy of Rory Sabbatini, whose locker was next to time,” Rose recalled.

“As for Southern Hills, I think it’s very much a fairways and greens type of venue. A good test of golf.

“It’s hosted US Opens as well, so it should be in my wheelhouse of the courses that I’ve historically played well on; I’m excited.”

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Rich Beem says he didn’t see Phil Mickelson pulling out of the US PGA Championship but thinks there are more questions to be asked.

Mickelson withdraws from USA PGA Championship

Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from next week’s US PGA Championship and will not defend his title.

Mickelson has been taking a break from golf since the fall-out from his explosive comments about the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed breakaway spearheaded by Greg Norman.

The six-time major winner registered for the US PGA and next month’s US Open on April 25 and also requested a release from the PGA Tour to play the first LIV Golf Invitational Series event from June 9-11.

That request was denied by the PGA Tour earlier this week.

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Claude Harmon III shares his thoughts on Phil Mickelson following his withdrawal from the PGA Championship, of which he is the defending champion.

A statement from the PGA Championship organisers read: “We have just been informed that Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from the PGA Championship. Phil is the defending champion and currently eligible to be a PGA Life Member and we would have welcomed him to participate.

“We wish Phil and Amy the very best and look forward to his return to golf.”

Mickelson became golf’s oldest major champion at last year’s PGA Championship when, less than a month shy of turning 51, he held off Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen to triumph by two shots at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course.

Watch PGA Championship this week, live on Sky Sports Golf