LONDON — North Hants golfer Rob Wheeler has set his sights on emulating the career trajectory of fellow club member Justin Rose after securing a spot in the final qualifying stage for The Open Championship. The 28-year-old, who grew up idolizing Rose, hopes to follow in the footsteps of the 2013 U.S. Open champion by making his major championship debut at Royal Troon this July.
A Dream Inspired by Rose
Wheeler's journey mirrors Rose's in striking ways. Both honed their skills at North Hants Golf Club in Hampshire, with Wheeler often practicing on the same fairways where a teenage Rose developed his game. "Justin's story has always been my motivation," Wheeler told reporters after his qualifying victory. "Seeing what he achieved from our club makes me believe I can do it too."
The parallels don't end there:
- Both players turned professional in their early 20s
- Both endured early struggles on mini-tours
- Both credit North Hants' challenging heathland course for developing their games
- Both secured their Open qualifying spots through regional events
The Road to Final Qualifying
Wheeler earned his place in final qualifying by shooting rounds of 68 and 71 at Hankley Common, one of four regional qualifying venues. His performance included:
- 5 birdies in his opening round
- Crucial par saves on the back nine
- A tournament-clinching 15-foot putt on the 36th hole
"The putt felt like it took forever to drop," Wheeler recalled. "When it finally did, all I could think about was Justin holing that famous pitch shot at Birkdale as an amateur. That's the magic I want to create."
Rose's Influence and Advice
Rose, who famously finished 4th in the 1998 Open Championship as a 17-year-old amateur, has become an informal mentor to Wheeler. The two have played practice rounds together when Rose visits his childhood club, with the major champion offering valuable insights.
"Rob's got all the tools," Rose commented recently. "What impressed me most is his course management - he thinks his way around like a veteran. That's exactly what you need at Open qualifying."
Key Lessons from Rose
Wheeler attributes much of his recent improvement to advice from Rose:
- Focus on fairways hit rather than distance
- Develop multiple shots for windy conditions
- Treat qualifying as preparation, not pressure
- Visualize success on every shot
The Final Challenge Ahead
Final qualifying takes place on July 2 at four courses near Royal Troon. Wheeler will compete against 288 players for approximately 16 available spots in golf's oldest championship. The format consists of 36 holes in one day, testing both skill and endurance.
Recent history offers hope for Wheeler:
- In 2023, 9 club professionals qualified
- The average qualifying score was 6-under
- Several qualifiers went on to make the cut
- Local knowledge proved valuable at Scottish venues
Preparing for the Ultimate Test
Wheeler has adjusted his preparation to mimic Open conditions:
- Practicing with lower trajectory shots
- Focusing on lag putting from long range
- Playing practice rounds in strong winds
- Studying Royal Troon's famous Postage Stamp hole
"This is what I've worked for my whole life," Wheeler said. "To walk the same fairways as Justin, as Tiger, as all the legends - that's the dream. Now I've got to go earn it."
A Club's Proud Tradition
North Hants Golf Club has become something of a production line for professional talent. Beyond Rose and Wheeler, the club has produced:
- 3 current European Tour players
- 5 Challenge Tour competitors
- Multiple elite amateurs
- Several successful golf coaches
Club professional Mark Smith attributes this success to the course's design: "Our heathland layout forces players to shape shots and think creatively. That foundation serves them well at the highest levels."
The Bigger Picture
Wheeler's quest represents more than personal ambition. A strong performance could:
- Earn him starts in other tournaments
- Attract potential sponsors
- Open doors to developmental tours
- Inspire the next generation at North Hants
As Wheeler prepares for the most important day of his career, he carries with him the hopes of his club and the example of his idol. "However it ends," he reflects, "I'm already proud to be following in those footsteps."
The golf world will watch with interest on July 2 to see if another North Hants product can make the leap from club golfer to major championship competitor, continuing a remarkable tradition that began with Justin Rose's magical run 26 years ago.
