Justin Rose on Masters relief after Pebble Beach win, renewed Ryder Cup hopes
- Planet Sport writer
- 7 February 2023
As he eyes a return to the Ryder Cup, Justin Rose admitted it was a huge relief to secure his Masters ticket with his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Monday.
Rose secured his first victory in four years with a three-shot triumph following a delayed finish in California.
The former world number one carded a final-round 66 to end the week on 18 under par, well clear of runners-up Brendon Todd and Brandon Wu.
Even better, Rose no longer needs to worry about trying to play his way into the field at the Masters. He was facing a battle to be eligible after seeing his world ranking drop outside of the top 50.
Having qualified for Augusta with his 11th PGA Tour victory, Rose told a press conference: "I feel like I have been fortunate enough to win at some great venues, but Pebble's right up there. Just that walk up 18, to sort of be able to build a bit of a lead to kind of enjoy it, was a very special moment.
"I think obviously when you're a bit starved for a win as well, the fact that it came today on a weather day like we had and at a venue that we had today was just worth waiting for."
The 2013 US Open champion added: "Augusta's definitely been a big part of being on my mind. I thought the simple way to approach it was try to play my way into the top 50 in the world by whenever the date is. Some time in March.
"I think my world ranking divisor is only 37. So I had a few free hits, if you like. So I knew that making some points was going to do me good. That was my intention, to come out and play solid and earn some points and claw my way up the world rankings and make it that way.
"Obviously this is a better way to make it by winning a tournament. It's funny how, by winning, you earn the points and everything takes care of itself.
"So, yeah, big relief from that point of view to be able to plan a little bit more of the run into Augusta now. Because I was playing a little bit more than maybe I would have wanted to because of that fact. But to have the luxury now is unbelievable."
“What a place to win a tournament” 🤩@JustinRose99 secures a win with a view @ATTProAm. pic.twitter.com/DWuKmFOKiR
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 6, 2023
As for his Ryder Cup ambitions, Rose made it clear it is definitely a target now.
"I haven't even entertained what the Ryder Cup looks like for me, other than I want to be there," he added.
"What was really important to me was getting off to a good start on the PGA Tour so I wasn't under pressure later in the season, so I could turn my attentions to the Ryder Cup and the European Tour.
"A win does give you a lot of belief. We always know we can do it, but sometimes you've got to see the proof."