Justin Rose has not laid down an Open Championship marker, he has battered one into the ground with a sledgehammer. Rose’s credentials for this week at Hoylake were already strong, courtesy of his victory at the Quicken Loans National, before he took to the podium again, this time at the Scottish Open. A 65 from Rose at Royal Aberdeen on Sunday was sufficient to win the event by two strokes from Kristoffer Broberg and five from Marc Warren, with whom he was tied at the start of the final round.
At 16 under par, Rose conquered Royal Aberdeen’s stern test, albeit with wet Sunday conditions having a generally positive impact on scoring. He receives €627,000 (£500,000) for his efforts but an even more substantial boost to confidence at a crucial juncture in the season.
Rose heads to the Open having won on each of his previous two starts. To make it three, including a major championship, would represent both a remarkable achievement and as close to a streak as is possible in modern-day professional golf.
“I couldn’t have scripted it better,” said Rose, who dropped just a single stroke in his closing 49 Scottish Open holes. “I’ve never won two in a row and I’ve certainly never won three in a row so I’m in uncharted territory.
“It is unbelievable, really, to be back in the winner’s circle so quickly. I am feeling great. I don’t think these wins have taken a lot out of me. I will enjoy the moment but my mind will be, as of tomorrow, back in the game.”
Those who dispute whether winning the Scottish Open and Open Championship in back-to-back weeks is realistic need only glance back a year, where Phil Mickelson will supply a hefty counterpoint. When you throw into the equation that Rose has shown he has what it takes to win a gruelling major, it is little wonder his Hoylake odds have shortened to as tight as 12-1 in places.
A front nine of 31 on Sunday meant the Scottish Open was Rose’s to lose. Warren, who has tasted heartache in this event before, played the same stretch in 35. Eight pars and a birdie on the closing half were enough to ease Rose towards victory, with Bronberg’s 66 rendering him the 2013 US Open winner’s closest challenger.
“I had a 12ft [putt] for birdie on the 1st and misread there and that was the story of the front nine,” said Warren. “Justin was the opposite. He seemed to be putting from outside me most of the time and holing them. Once he was out in front he was difficult to catch.
“Obviously his confidence is high after winning a couple weeks ago in America, and you could see that today; there were absolutely no mistakes.
“I think he made two bad swings all day and even they were a fraction out. He relied on his short game when he needed to. Obviously I don’t like being on the end of it, but it was a pleasure to watch.”
Rory McIlroy had set a course record of 64 on Thursday. That was bettered by Felipe Aguilar and Stephen Gallacher during day four; both shot 63. Gallacher’s tie for fourth further endorses his claims for a Ryder Cup spot in September.
McIlroy had the consolation of a third sub-70 round out of four, this time a 67, and a top-15 finish. He finished at seven under par, his position after round one.
“I see enough good signs in my game to give me some confidence heading into next week,” said McIlroy. “I’ve had three good rounds here. If I can just string a fourth in there, it would be great and obviously going into next week, that’s what I’m going to try and do.”
Mickelson had cause to be even more upbeat, after a 65 and tie for 11th. The 44-year-old thereby heads for the defence of his Claret Jug in fine spirits.
“I’m going to savour it and enjoy it,” said Mickelson. “I just feel different now when the Open Championship comes up and I’m able to go there as a past champion, as opposed to a foreign player who has never been able to conquer links golf.
“I will just go there with a whole different confidence level and feel a lot less pressure to try to win it because I’ve already done it. That win last year is something that I will always cherish.”
