''That was pretty funny..." Justin Rose on 'mystery woman' hugging Rory McIlroy at The Masters
Justin Rose opens up on his wife being labelled a 'mystery woman' by the Daily Mirror after she embraced Rory McIlroy following his Masters win.
Justin Rose admits he saw the funny side of a Daily Mirror report that referred to his wife Kate being a 'mystery woman' that was hugging Rory McIlroy after his Masters win last Sunday.
McIlroy, 35, beat Rose, 44, to The Masters with a birdie on the first extra hole at Augusta National.
It saw McIlroy become just the sixth player in the history of the men's game to complete the career grand slam, while Rose had to settle for a third runner-up finish in golf's first major of the season.
McIlroy was reduced to tears on the 18th green as his fell to his knees on the hallowed Georgia turf.
He shared warm embraces with both his caddie Harry Diamond and his European Ryder Cup teammate Rose, before receiving congratulatory hugs and kisses from his wife Erica and daughter Poppy
An emotional McIlroy then walked off the 18th green and through a wall of patrons chanting his name.
McIlroy was then met by Rose's wife Kate.
Revealed:
Only Kate was bizarrely named a 'mystery woman' by the Daily Mirror, a headline that very much caught the attention of runner-up Rose.
Speaking during this week's $20m RBC Heritage on Hilton Head Island, the Englishman couldn't help but stifle a laugh at reading the Mirror's article about his wife.
One reporter at this week's PGA Tour event asked Rose whether he knew what Kate said to McIlroy during their warm embrace off the back of 18.
Rose replied:
"No, not really. The 'mystery woman'. There was some article somewhere like who's the mystery woman that was hugging Rory. It turned out to be Kate. That was pretty funny
"Listen, I think in the moment you realize what it means to everybody involved. You realize what it means to other families, what they must be feeling. Yeah, you kind of -- you're a part of the moment. You're a part of the story. You're a part of all of the energy that's going on in that moment. I think that's what happens. You embrace that connection that you have with everybody and all that's going on in the moment.
"No, I don't know what she said to him. No, I don't think that was discussion worthy or anything, to be honest."
The Englishman revealed earlier this week to the media he was 'tormented' by the playoff loss to McIlroy.
But he does consider it's been easier to stomach as a result of having won the U.S. Open in 2013.
Rose is currently 3-under par in T41 thru 36 holes at the RBC Heritage.
Justin Thomas leads the way after two rounds on 12-under par and he finds himself two shots clear of Si Woo Kim and Russell Henley.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is four shots off the pace heading into the weekend at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Scheffler is attempting to become the first player to successfully defend the RBC Heritage since Boo Weekley in 2008.
McIlroy declined to participate in this week's RBC Heritage as he returned home to Northern Ireland to spend some time with his parents, Rosie and Gerry, for Easter weekend.
The World No.2 was seen stepping off his private jet on Friday morning with his daughter Poppy, two bags and his TaylorMade clubs.
McIlroy will return to PGA Tour event at next week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans where he is defending his title alongside good pal Shane Lowry.
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