Rose back in winner's circle at Masters
IN: News | Australasian PGA | MasterCard Masters (2006) | Wrap | by Anthony Powter | 26 Nov 2006
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The final day at the Masters started with seven players five shots behind overnight leader Justin Rose and with four of those European, it was always going to be a hard day for the Australians. Our hopes of a local claiming the tournament rested on a former USPGA Tour Player and an amateur.
Neither came into the tournament this week with any real form. One had recently lost his USPGA Tour card; the other was an amateur being baptised in the big league. The galleries appeared worried as the boisterous Melbournian fans were looking for a local saviour.
The likes of England's Justin Rose and Paul Casey as well as the Frenchman Raphael had hovered on the top of the leaderboard for the previous three days. They had worked their way into contention to claim the title. The crowds had warmed to 21 year old Queenslander, Aaron Pike, urging the amateur to hang in there in the face of adversity as the closing holes reflected there would be no Australian victory at Huntingdale.
Englishman Justin Rose claimed the Masters with a 12 under total, two shots ahead of Richard Green and Greg Chalmers. Putting was Chalmers woes today, reflected no better on the 9th green with 4 putts from 4 feet. With that went his chances of claiming the title after he momentary held the lead; he face as he walked off the green reflected his sheer disappointment in what has been a torrid year for Chalmers.
It was not all easy sailing for Rose either. A wayward drive on the 490 metre par 5, 7th put Rose in a fairway bunker. His attempt to play conservatively by hitting an 8 iron failed, as he thinned the shot and the ball ricocheted into the bushes. A triple bogey 8 followed and the tournament was then for the taking.
Richard Green played a faultless round of 3 under par and at one stage was considered a real threat. Aaron Baddeley also was coming home like a wet sail. Rose was able to keep his composure despite realising that Green was in the Clubhouse at 10 under.
"Everyone was making bogies out there, but once you suddenly saw Richard Green had posted 10, I knew I had to play the last three holes well. I've played those terribly all week. To play the last three one under for me is why won the tournament."
It was a breakthrough victory for Rose, who throughout the year had being in contention, yet was winless.
"I've been knocking on the door of late, and it was in the back of my mind. I can't keep knocking on the door and not getting over the line. You know people will start to look at it from a different standpoint like "Why aren't you winning?". I knew that was the case and I am deleted that I got the job finally done."
It was Rose's first win since the British Masters in 2002, and today's victory was perfectly timed for the Englishman.
"I played very defensibly out there today, especially with my putting. The greens were severe and I only had one aggressive putt on the 16th. My 3 iron on the last hole was probably better than the 2iron shot I hit on 14 yesterday. I was right behind a tree after a wayward drive. I had to get on that dance floor and when that happened I knew I was then in a good chance to win this tournament."
"I might get a line or two in the papers back home given the result in the cricket."
There's no doubt that Aaron Pike will be making the sport headlines in the Queensland papers. Pike performed at Huntingdale all week like a seasoned professional; he may not be wearing the Gold Jacket, but he'd won the galleries hearts. The tournament had taken a different perspective as many wanted to see the amateur win.
Rose had something to say about that and when the putt sank on the last hole the British loin roared; and what a roar it was as victory was very sweet.
Photo - Anthony Powter
