Rose Buoyed by Masters Support Despite Another Near Miss

The 45-year-old Englishman finished two shots behind winner Rory McIlroy in a four-way tie for third.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the final round of the 2026 Masters golf tournament, with overlapping planes of color and form representing the dynamic action on the course.Despite another heartbreaking near miss at the Masters, Justin Rose's perseverance and the enthusiastic support of Augusta's patrons have cemented his status as a fan favorite.Augusta Today

Justin Rose said the support he received from patrons at Augusta National this week would stay with him after the 45-year-old Englishman again fell short in his bid to win a first Masters title. Rose briefly held the lead during Sunday's final round before slipping back and finishing two shots behind winner Rory McIlroy in a four-way tie for third, a year after losing to McIlroy in a playoff.

Why it matters

Rose has finished runner-up at the Masters three times, and his continued strong performances at the tournament despite not winning a Green Jacket yet have endeared him to the Augusta crowd. His ability to remain competitive at the Masters into his mid-40s also speaks to his longevity as a top player on the PGA Tour.

The details

Rose poured in five front-nine birdies and felt he had put himself in position to challenge before momentum turned around Amen Corner. Costly bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes halted his momentum, and he looked dejected when he missed a short par putt on the 17th to close the door on his dream of winning the Masters this year.

  • On Sunday, April 12, 2026, Rose briefly held the lead during the final round of the Masters.
  • In 2025, Rose lost to Rory McIlroy in a playoff at the Masters.

The players

Justin Rose

A 45-year-old English professional golfer who has finished runner-up at the Masters three times, including in 2025 when he lost to Rory McIlroy in a playoff.

Rory McIlroy

The winner of the 2026 Masters, defeating Justin Rose by two shots.

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What they’re saying

“I felt like the crowd was amazing to me all week long … I felt their encouragement and support.”

— Justin Rose, Professional Golfer

“At the end it kind of goes a little flat. It's more of a sympathy than anything. But it was still nonetheless very beautiful.”

— Justin Rose, Professional Golfer

“I was really in control. First 10 holes, I felt like I was. And the mentality was to run through the finish line not just try and get it done.”

— Justin Rose, Professional Golfer

“Today I felt like there was an opportunity to do better, so obviously that is frustrating.”

— Justin Rose, Professional Golfer

“In the last two years I've really kind of re-kicked on and re-energized my career and I have a lot of belief in myself that there is a lot of runway ahead.”

— Justin Rose, Professional Golfer

What’s next

Rose will look to build on his strong performance at the 2026 Masters and continue contending at major championships as he gets older. His next opportunity to win a Green Jacket will come at the 2027 Masters.

The takeaway

Despite another near miss at the Masters, Justin Rose's resilience and continued competitiveness at Augusta National have earned him the admiration of the tournament's loyal patrons. As he enters the twilight of his career, Rose remains optimistic about his ability to challenge for major titles and potentially win his first Masters championship.