There has been no British winner of one of Golf’s four Major Championsips since 1999, when Paul Lawrie sensationally pipped Jean van de Velde at Carnoustie.
In the years that have followed, Lawrie’s career has dipped and he has not made the cut for a Major since 2005, when he tied for 52nd in the Open Championship.
British golf has now been given a new wave of potential heroes, but who can raise their game to become a Major winner?
For me, it has to be Englishman Justin Rose. Despite being born in Johannesburg, Rose moved to England at age 5 and now calls it his home. He represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Seve Trophy and England in the World Cup.
Having burst onto the golfing scene as an amateur in the Open Championship of 1998, the year before Lawrie’s victory, he finished tied fourth for his best Major finish.
His incredible holing on the 18th showed his commendable temperament, giving rise to many golfing luminaries proclaiming him as British golf’s saviour.
Since turning pro, Rose has had a much tougher time of it. However, he has come out of the tunnel of self-doubt a much stronger golfer physically and mentally, with this year being the one that will truly test his championship credentials.
Winning the European Order of Merit in 2007 with a Volvo Masters victory, Rose’s world ranking soared. Currently sitting as 10th best golfer in the world, the time seems right for Rose to begin his campaign to take his career to the next level.
Things seemed to be going according to script at the opening Major of the year, the US Masters at Augusta in April. Second on the leaderboard after the first round, an opening card of 68 seemed to set the tone for the remainder of Rose’s weekend.
However, following a disastrous second round of 78, he ended up tied 36th with a final score of +7. He has since missed the cut at the Wachovia Championships and his year is threatening to peter out.
Regardless, I firmly expect Rose to bounce back tougher and better than ever before. As he has proven throughout his career, it takes the biggest stage to get the best out of Justin Rose.
If he can maintain his concentration, his natural talent gives him the platform to become Britain’s next Major winner.
Golfing pundits and fans around the country would like any British golfer to finish at the top of a Major leaderboard this year, be it Westwood, Poulter or Dougherty. Whilst all of these have the potential to do so, I would expect Justin Rose to be the one that we will see lifting a Major trophy sooner rather than later.
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2 months ago
Nice article Jonathan. I also believe that Rose has the best chance of any British golfer to win a major. When Rose is hot, he is as good as anyone. He had a stretch in the 3rd round of the Masters that was as good as any golf I'd seen at Augusta in a long time. Rose just needs to remain more consistent. He can easily shoot a 65 followed by a 75 the next day.
I think the same holds true for several of the talented young players on tour right now - Scott, Rose, Ogilvy, Immelman, etc. When they are playing well they can play with just about anyone but they all seem to have trouble putting together a few great rounds in a row.
I think as they continue to mature though they will become more constant. I think in about 2 years Tiger is going to have his hands full and will have a much more difficult time winning majors with the likes of a more mature Rose, Scott, Ogilvy, etc. in the field.
2 months ago
You put a good case for Justin Rose, Jon, however he has not got that special something which in political circles is referred to as "testicular courage", very necessary for those who sit in government and even more necessary for those seated on the opposition benches. IT IS A VITAL COMPONENT IN PROFESSIONAL GOLF. You either have it or you hav'ent and Justin is in the second category
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