Justin Rose drops all-time quote after qualifying for The Open
Justin Rose has reacted to making it through the 36-hole qualifier to bookmark his spot into this month's Open at Royal Troon.
Justin Rose says having to qualify for The Open made him realise how special competing in the major really is.
Rose booked his spot into the final men's major of the year with a superb performance over 36 holes at Bernham & Berrow on Tuesday.
By day's end, Rose finished on eight-under thanks to scores of 66 and 68 in truly testing conditions.
Rose picked up one of four spots available from the venue alongside amateur Dominic Clemons, Charlie Lindh and LIV Golf pro Abraham Ancer.
Sergio Garcia was the highest-profile golfer to miss out and he wasn't happy about it all, placing blame on the officials.
“The Open's been a bit of a fairytale and love story for me since I was 14 and I qualified at Scotscraig," Rose told reporters.
"Obviously there was winning the silver medal at Royal Birkdale a couple of years later, so The Open has always been super special.
"Sometimes you take it for granted – you're exempt, you turn up and play for many years, but as you get older, things get a little harder so in some ways it's good to have to qualify because it makes you appreciate The Open a little more and how special it is.
"Coming back to Burnham & Berrow was also special – first time back here since '97. I was grateful to be back here and walk down memory lane."
Rose has endured somewhat mixed results in the majors this year.
Rounds of 73-78 saw the European Ryder Cup hero miss the cut at The Masters.
He bounced back with a top-10 finish at the PGA Championship, finishing in a tie for sixth at Valhalla Golf Club.
And he missed the cut again at last month's U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2.
On the PGA Tour, he missed cuts at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the coveted Players Championship.
His best finish on the North American circuit in 2024 came when he finished in a tie for 11th at the washed out AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Despite those performances, Rose contended he believes he can still lift the claret jug.
"Right now I've a little bit of a buzz because it's super exciting to have got through," he told Sky Sports' Jamie Weir.
"There's moments where you'll just want to qualify for The Open just to be at another Open - and that might come in my career - but I still feel like I can win The Open.
"And to win it, you've got to be in it, so that was key today to come here and get the job done to give myself an opportunity at that dream."
Rose made his Open debut in 1998.
He famously holed a wedge shot on the 72nd hole for birdie to finish in a tie for fourth.
Which players made it through Final Qualifying?
- Burnham & Berrow: Justin Rose, Dominic Clemons (a), Abraham Ancer, Charlie Lindh.
- Dundonald Links: Sam Hutsby, Angel Hidalgo, Liam Nolan, Jack McDonald.
- Royal Cinque Ports: Matthew Southgate, Elvis Smylie, Jaime Montojo, Luis Masaveu.
- West Lancashire: Matthew Dodd-Berry (a), Sam Horsfield, Daniel Brown, Masahiro Kawamura.
