After the dramatic Augusta National playoff against Rory McIlroy, the Masters likely remains a tender but painful spot for two-time Masters runner-up Justin Rose. In 2020, three years after his first runner-up finish, former PGA Tour pro Phil Mickelson took a dig at Rose’s excitement after he received the invitation for the 2020 Masters. The three-time Masters champion replied under Rose’s invitation post: “Win it once (or 3x’s) and you get that EVERY YEAR. Just saying.” Ouch? You’d think that would be the end of their connection; however, as we near the PGA Championship, Rose, who is dealing with illness, shares that he finds Mickelson “inspiring” for his 2021 PGA Championship win.
At the 2021 PGA Championship, Mickelson, at 50 years, 11 months, and 3 days old, became the oldest player ever to win a major championship. By the time he broke Julius Boros’s record (48 years old) set in the 1968 PGA Championship, he had not finished in the top 10 in his last 16 tournaments and had not truly competed in a major championship for four years. So, what did Justin Rose make of that kind of achievement?” as put in by the Beyond the Clubhouse host.
Rose replied, “For sure, I mean, it’s obviously inspirational. For sure, I mean, it’s obviously inspirational. You know, the Open Championship, we saw Watson nearly do it at 59, but the Open’s a little bit different. The ball’s running on the ground a lot more. You know, the PGA Championship, you got to be able to flight the ball, you got to be able to hit some cool shots, got to still have a little bit of power, which Phil did when he won. So, it’s good motivation for me to stay fit, young, healthy, strong, do all the right things.”
Currently dealing with a “sudden illness,” Rose treats his body like a temple. After battling persistent back injuries, he has taken significant steps to maintain his health and perform at his best. His commitment includes investing in a traveling gym, or “recovery room,” which he brings to each tournament. This setup allows him to work out and engage in cold plunges, promoting effective recovery. A move he learned because of Mickelson? Likely. After all, Mickelson is just as serious about his health.
In 2024, during an episode of Warming Up, Mickelson shared how stretching has become essential to his workout routine as he ages. His pre-round routine includes shoulder exercises, core engagement with anti-rotation circles, and leg stretches in a wide stance, along with deep squats to activate his muscles. Ahead of the Masters this year, he also talked about using intermittent fasting for quick weight loss. However, fans hope to see Mickelson inspire Rose in other areas, particularly in his performance at the PGA Championship.
Currently “tormented” by yet another close finish at a major, Rose has a relationship with the PGA Championship that resembles a mixed bag. In recent times,, he achieved a T2 finish in 2018 and a T7 in 2021, although he also missed cuts in 2020 and 2022. In 2024 at Valhalla, which Rose considers “a golf course that didn’t necessarily suit me, but Valhalla was one of those venues where you still had to play great golf,” he performed impressively, finishing T6. However, at 44, the weight of winning another major weighs heavily on him, and he is acutely aware of this pressure.
After the Masters, Rose admitted in the post-round press conference, “It’s like, it can be that close. I’ve got to believe that. The last two majors I’ve been right there and been beaten by the top players in the world at the peak of their game.” For a golfer seeking his second major after the U.S. Open, will the PGA Championship provide a promising opportunity?
Justin Rose’s future at the 2025 PGA Championship remains uncertain
Illness may be Justin Rose’s greatest enemy with the PGA Championship less than a week away. He first informed his fans about this issue at the 2025 Truist Championship, where he withdrew from the sixth PGA Tour event after two less-than-ideal rounds. Due to the seriousness of his condition, Rose did not deliver the same strong performance he achieved at Augusta National. However, if Rose tees off at Quail Hollow next week, will it be as promising as Augusta National?
Justin Rose’s statistics heading into Quail Hollow reveal a mixed bag that could impact his performance. He ranks 113th in strokes gained (SG) off the tee with a slightly negative average, indicating he may struggle to gain an advantage, which is crucial on a precision-demanding course. His total driving rank of 89th and driving distance of 104th (averaging 299.1 yards) show that while he can hit the ball far, he lacks consistency and effectiveness in maximizing his distance relative to the field.
Additionally, his driving accuracy ranks 80th at 60.44%, indicating he hits a decent percentage of fairways, but this remains below the field average, which could complicate his positioning for approach shots. In terms of approach play, his SG: Approach to Green ranking at 75th and GIR (greens in regulation) percentage at 137th (63.89%) raise further concerns, as hitting greens is vital for scoring well at Quail Hollow.
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