Rose jokes with Mickelson following US Open win

Phil Mickelson described his loss to Justin Rose at this year’s US Open as “heartbreaking” but that doesn’t stop the American from being able to laugh at his failures.  

Mickelson racked up his sixth runner-up finish in the US Open at Merion and it's the only major he has not won as he went on to win the Claret Jug in 2013. 

The pair clearly get on well as Rose was quick to poke fun at Mickelson when the two were paired together recently.

The American asked the starter at The Sheshan International to introduce him as the Open champion so Rose jumped in and requested to be introduced as the US Open champion.

"’I've always got along with Phil, and I had a little fun with him recently in Shanghai," Rose said. "So I asked if [the starter] wouldn’t mind announcing me as the U.S. Open champ.

"I looked over at Phil and gave him a wink, and he was laughing. He enjoys the banter, and he’s certainly an inspiration."

"He was 33 when he won his first major and now he’s gone on to win five, as well as a virtual career grand slam if you count all those near-misses in the U.S. Open as one win," added Rose. . "It shows to me that even if you have to wait until your early 30s to win your first, you can still go on and have a great career."

"This isn’t the time to reminisce and wallow," he said. "This is the time to crack on and win more. When you’re an old man you can sit on the verandah and reflect you were able to do it, but now is not the time. I need to look forward."

"I’m glad I didn’t spend ages in that bracket of players who are  considered the best not to have won a major," Rose said. "It’s just one more thing you have to deal with."

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