Justin Rose will be attempting to win The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in two weeks’ time, 28 years after he secured a top-5 finish there as a 17-year-old amateur.
Rose stunned the golfing world at Royal Birkdale back in 1998 when he actually had a chance to win The Open on Sunday.
The Englishman didn’t quite manage to do that, but he did produce a miracle hole-out on the final hole to finish in a tie for fourth.
Justin Rose turned pro immediately after The Open at Birkdale, and went on to miss 21 consecutive cuts.
However, the now 45-year-old turned things around and has gone on to compile a hall of fame career, with 13 PGA Tour wins, one major championship and an Olympic gold medal to his name.
Rose has struggled for form since switching to McLaren irons, but he is still capable of contending to win The Open at Birkdale.
There is genuine cause for concern for fans of Rose right now, though.
Justin Rose makes decision for the first time in five years ahead of The Open
The Englishman won’t have too many more chances to add to his major championship tally.
However, one would imagine that he still fancies his chances of winning The Open.
And that is what makes his latest decision so unusual.
Rose is not in the field for the Genesis Scottish Open at Renaissance Club next week.
The field has been released for next week’s event in North Berwick, and Rose’s name is absent from the list.
It’s the first time in five years that Rose has decided not to play in the tournament.
The 13-time PGA Tour winner’s decision to skip the Scottish Open the week before The Open is an unusual one to say the least.
Two potential concerns for Justin Rose
The Englishman hasn’t revealed his reasoning for missing the event at Renaissance Club.
However, his decision to do so is most likely down to one of two things.
There is a chance that Rose is not fully fit. He may be nursing some kind of injury, and if that is the case, it obviously isn’t ideal with just 12 days remaining before The Open starts.
Or he may be really unhappy with his game, which would be equally concerning.
If he’s not happy with his swing, he may well feel like a week grinding on the range is what he needs, rather than competing at Renaissance Club.
Justin Rose missing the Genesis Scottish Open is highly unusual and the thing is, he must be concerned about something.
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