Justin Rose Wins Masters In Dramatic Final-Round Comeback
Justin Rose Wins Masters In Dramatic Final-Round Comeback...
Justin Rose captured his second Masters title Sunday with a stunning final-round 65 at Augusta National, overcoming a five-shot deficit to claim the green jacket. The 45-year-old Englishman finished at 14-under par, edging out rising star Will Zalatoris by one stroke in a tense back-nine duel. The victory marks Rose's first major win since the 2013 U.S. Open and makes him the oldest Masters champion since Jack Nicklaus in 1986.
The dramatic finish sparked immediate celebration across golf circles, with Tiger Woods calling it "one of the great Masters performances" in a congratulatory tweet. Rose's win resonates particularly with American fans who remember his emotional runner-up finish as an amateur in 1998 and his consistent contention at Augusta over the past decade. Social media erupted with highlights of his clutch birdies on holes 15 and 16 that sealed the victory.
Augusta National's treacherous back nine lived up to its reputation Sunday as several contenders faltered under pressure. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler carded a disappointing 73 to finish tied for fourth, while pre-tournament favorite Rory McIlroy faded with a 74. Rose's steady play stood in stark contrast, hitting 15 greens in regulation during his bogey-free final round.
The win comes after Rose endured a three-year winless drought on the PGA Tour, dropping outside the top 50 in the world rankings last year. His resurgence at Augusta signals a potential late-career revival, similar to Phil Mickelson's 2021 PGA Championship victory at age 50. Rose credited his improved putting stroke and work with coach David Leadbetter for the turnaround.
With the victory, Rose earns $3.24 million from the tournament's $20 million purse and secures his PGA Tour card through 2028. The win also qualifies him for the next five Masters tournaments, keeping him at Augusta through his 50th birthday. Golf analysts noted the significance of his victory coming during the 25th anniversary week of his breakthrough amateur performance at the same course.
Sunday's final round delivered the highest Masters TV ratings since 2019, according to early Nielsen data, as fans tuned in for the unpredictable leaderboard. The tournament trended nationwide as Rose's emotional post-round interview went viral, where he dedicated the win to his children and late father. The champion will return to action at the RBC Heritage next week on Hilton Head Island.
