BBC Home

Explore the BBC

New visitors: Create your membership
Returning members: Sign in

35 comments

user rating: 4 star

Iain Carter Column

European Tour
comment on the article

Report l Contest as it happened

Amid the celebrations that followed Justin Rose’s victory at the Volvo Masters and his triumph in the European Tour’s Order of Merit he orchestrated a private picture that will mean most to him.

Clutching both trophies he called forward his wife Kate, coach Nick Bradley and manager Marcus Day. This was Team Rose smiling for the camera.

Undoubtedly this close knit group can share in the collective responsibility for his stunning year in 2007. They provide Rose with the support team that suits him best.

He broke amicably from management giants IMG earlier this year as he sought the personal touch in the handling of his affairs in much the same way as he did with his golf game when he left David Leadbetter for the tutelage of Bradley just over a year ago.

Then he was ranked 126 in the world, now he is firmly established as a top ten player at number seven. Rose has already exceeded his target of a top 20 berth by the end of 2007.

The exclusivity of his deal with Bradley is vital. Rose thrives on the one-on-one relationship, just as he had done when growing up under the watchful eye of his late father Ken.

Results speak for themselves and had he failed to win at Valderrama it would have been a Calzaghe style blow to his confidence. Letting slip a four-shot lead with eight to go can stay with a player for a very long time.

Instead it will be the memory of righting a sinking ship and in the future he will have much upon which to draw when he next seeks to close out a tournament.

This will go down as Rose’s breakthrough year at the very top of the game. He was in contention at the Masters and US Open and finished runner-up at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and now this season-ending victory.

Of course, as has been well documented, the Order of Merit race was somewhat flawed with the absence of Ernie Els from the deciding event.

But the fact is Rose established himself as Europe’s top player from just twelve outings on the Tour. It was money earned from the biggest tournaments that did the job.

This can only serve well the 27-year-old in the future. The only worry would appear to be the troublesome back that kept him out of several events earlier in the year.

The latest scans suggest he is on the road to a full recovery but it will take careful management.

His affairs and his game are already receiving just that and Rose and British golf in general can delight in the fact that the benefits are being reaped in such fantastic style.

And Team Rose have the picture to prove it.

comment on this article | send to a friend

Latest 10 comments

view all 35 comments

Read members' comments or add your own
comment by akaBlue-Peter (U7567402)

posted Nov 5, 2007

Volvo Masters at Valderama is no walk in the park. Well done to Justin. Now he needs to keep that great swing going when the pressure really gets tough, say in a Masters.
Thought I saw him choking on the follow through a few times! Needs to develop a mental strategy for the big pressure moments.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by muffiman8007 (U10275592)

posted Nov 5, 2007

All you negative whingers need to look at the facts.I've followed Justins'progress for the last 8 years and he has improved season on season, Particularly since joining the US tour, which by the way for a guy with the start to a career he had was brave indeed.
He has never settled for prize money or and if you visit his website and look at his tour diaries, you will see he is well aware of how he needs to improve his game and how he sets acheivable goals.He is one the most improved players in the world, and will undoubtedly win a major. PS Jimmy the lips.He has passed harrington in the world rankings!!!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by kwiniaskagolfer (U6520188)

posted Nov 5, 2007

I think that Simon Dyson and Soren Kjeldsen are having their achievements this week overlooked.

And something else being overlooked is that Richard Johnson (good for him) gained 20 World Ranking points for winning the Nationwide event in California, only three fewer than Dyson and Kjeldsen gained for playing 72 holes in the same score as Justin Rose.

Further amunition for all those who think the WR's can be daft, and for all those who think George O'Grady is even dafter to overlook the impact WR's are having.

After all, no sooner had Ernie rattled on about wheelbarrows of cash being available in Singapore etc than he remarked how many WR points were also up for grabs. Which perversely of course he missed out on.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by GoonerWinTheTreble (U9443337)

posted Nov 5, 2007

Yeh i agree, but he is still quite young, and the volvo doesnt quite match up to a major. Ok he came through a tough squeeze at the end which is commendable to him, but we should let him get on and improve from here. The minute we start predicting he will win a major, it never happens and our expectations are too high. The same happens in all sport that England play.
Good luck Justin, and well played...

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Eewires (U5352372)

posted Nov 5, 2007

Erm,Jimmy the lips, check the rankings. JR is 7th, Harrington 8th.

Actually I think Harrington is still the better all round golfer, but JR has been wonderfully consistent without being spectacular and he has a few years on Els and Harrington so you never know.

But really the rankings and so on are too money centred so that a single win in a big tournament will boost rankings way beyond what they should be.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by granitebrucie (U10278301)

posted Nov 5, 2007

Congrats Justin,being from Ireland I was obiviously hoping that Pauric would win. But hats off to Justin I predict he will make a great Ryder cup player,and will win more then one major.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by seabomber (U10257943)

posted Nov 5, 2007

Tom Watson was known as a choker for a while,he didnt do too bad did he ? You have to get in the heat to get tough...this is what Justin has been doing. 27 years old...hes got time on his side...Casey, Poulter, Clarke, Westwood , Donald all world class, how come they never get called chokers ? I think Justin might end up stronger mentally than any of those, he reminds me of Faldo's single mindedness far more than any of the other millionairs who seem to love the good life more than Majors

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by boredsilly (U2126946)

posted Nov 6, 2007

I think Rose is South Africa's next major champion!!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by SEVE3574 (U10174155)

posted Nov 6, 2007

Have you ever actually watched a tournament played at valderrama?

It's the toughest course in europe so to drop four shots is not that hard to do.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by seabomber (U10257943)

posted Nov 14, 2007

Just read crockedkens comment..whats he on about ? Peter Aliss born in Germany...English...Justin Rose , South Africa, English too..get real

add comment | complain about this comment

view all 35 comments | back to the top

Comment on this article

Sorry, you can only contribute to 606 during opening hours. These are 0900-2300 UK time, seven days a week, but may vary to accommodate sporting events and UK public holidays.

RATE THIS ARTICLE

Rate Breakdown

  • 5 33.33%
    4 votes
  • 4 16.67%
    2 votes
  • 3 33.33%
    4 votes
  • 2
    0 votes
  • 1 16.67%
    2 votes

average rating:
3.50 from 12 votes

Sign in if you want to vote