Justin Rose challenge fades away on final day at US Open
Monday 18 June 2018 00:07, UK
Justin Rose reflected on what might have been after a poor start to his final round scuppered his chances of landing a second US Open victory.
Rose was just one shot off the lead overnight, but he lost ground early on when he double-bogeyed the fourth and dropped another shot at the long fifth.
The 2013 champion revived his hopes with a birdie at the sixth, and another at the 12th gave him the opportunity to mount a charge down the stretch, but that chance went with another mistake at the 14th.
Rose slipped back again at the 17th, and missing a 10-foot putt for birdie at the last summed up his round as he signed for a disappointing 73 which left him six strokes behind back-to-back winner Brooks Koepka.
"Obviously I had a shot today," said Rose afterwards. "It was so bunched and obviously there were so many guys close to the lead that someone had to play great golf today. I could see that there were some scores to be had out there.
Ian Poulter blasted the USGA and the fans at Shinnecock Hills after the third round
"It was very similar to Saturday where someone from the middle of the pack really came through with the softer conditions. I knew that was going to be the case as well and that was definitely the nature of the golf course this week. It was harder to hang on than it was to play from the middle.
"I doubled the fourth and bogeyed five and that really put me behind the eight-ball, but I never really gave up. I set myself a goal of getting back to one over and I really believed I could do it.
"I actually played great golf, to be honest with you, from the sixth hole in, and I had nine putts today that I felt were really good chances. So the putts just didn't fall today.
US Open Golf
"I never stopped believing, and even as late as when I birdied 12, I still felt like I could post a number," added Rose, who also paid tribute to compatriot Tommy Fleetwood after his record-equalling 63 earned him outright second.
"He has got a wonderful game, I love the way he hits the golf ball and there are things I emulate when I watch him play. I love the way he compresses it, strikes it.
"But he has also got great temperament and I think that will stand [him] in good stead."
Rose finished one stroke behind Tyrrell Hatton, who atoned for missing the cut on his debut last year with a tie for sixth place on six over following his closing 69.
"I'm really happy with my performance this week," said the Ryder Cup hopeful. "This is a really tough golf course, so, you know, it's nice to find a bit of form again.
"It's been a bit of a struggle for me recently, so I've had three missed cuts in a row, which isn't ideal. To come in here and finish top 10 is really good and hopefully that sets me up for a really good summer now."
