LONDON — Justin Rose, the 2013 U.S. Open champion and Olympic gold medalist, recently revealed that he has visualized sinking the winning putt at The Open Championship "more than 1,000 times" during his career.
The Power of Visualization in Golf
Rose, now 43, opened up about how mental rehearsal played a crucial role in his early career. "As a young golfer dreaming of winning The Open, I must have seen that final putt drop in my mind over and over," he said in an interview with Sky Sports. "It wasn’t just about the shot itself—it was about the roar of the crowd, the weight of the moment, and what it would mean to me."
Sports psychologists have long emphasized the benefits of visualization in golf. Studies suggest that mental practice can enhance performance by reinforcing neural pathways, much like physical repetition. Rose’s admission aligns with techniques used by legends like Jack Nicklaus, who famously said, "I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp, in-focus picture of it in my head."
Rose’s Close Calls at The Open
Despite his vivid imagination, Rose has yet to lift the Claret Jug. His best Open finish came in 2018 at Carnoustie, where he tied for second, two strokes behind Francesco Molinari. Reflecting on that near-miss, he said, "I could feel it. The putts were there, the crowd was behind me—but sometimes, golf doesn’t give you the fairytale."
Other notable Open performances include:
- T4 at Royal Birkdale (1998, as a 17-year-old amateur)
- T6 at St. Andrews (2015)
- T22 at Royal Liverpool (2023, after a strong final-round 66)
The 1998 Birkdale Breakthrough
Rose’s Open journey began in dramatic fashion. As a teenage amateur at Royal Birkdale, he holed a memorable pitch shot on the 72nd hole to finish fourth, instantly becoming a household name. "That week taught me I belonged," he recalled. "But it also made me hungry for more."
Why The Open Means So Much
For Rose, The Open isn’t just another major—it’s the one he grew up watching. "As an English kid, The Open was everything. Seeing Faldo, Seve, and Tiger battle on those links courses… that’s what made me fall in love with the game," he said. The tournament’s history, unpredictable weather, and iconic venues like St. Andrews and Royal Troon add to its allure.
Rose isn’t alone in his reverence. Fellow major winner Rory McIlroy once called The Open "the purest test of golf," while Tiger Woods has described it as "the ultimate challenge." For Rose, winning it would complete a career Grand Slam of sorts—adding the Claret Jug to his U.S. Open and Olympic titles.
The Mental Game Moving Forward
Now in the latter stages of his career, Rose remains committed to the visualization techniques that shaped his early years. "I still see that putt," he admitted. "Maybe now it’s not 1,000 times, but the dream hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s sharper."
With The Open returning to Royal Troon in 2024, Rose is already preparing—both physically and mentally. "You have to believe it before it happens," he said. "That’s why I keep playing that moment in my head."
Conclusion: The Dream Lives On
Justin Rose’s candid reflection on his mental rehearsals offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a champion. While he hasn’t yet turned his imagined Open victory into reality, his persistence and belief remain unwavering. "Golf rewards patience," he said with a smile. "And I’m not done yet."
For fans, the prospect of Rose finally sinking that winning putt—whether at Troon or beyond—would be a storybook ending to one of golf’s most respected careers. Until then, he’ll keep visualizing it, one more time.
