Page 22 - Golf World (February 2020)

JUSTINROSE

MAJOR CHAMPION Wentworth has

foundits feet and

character again

afterall the changes

f I had to rate my year on the golf course in 2019,
I’d probably give myself a B-. A season can never be
too bad when you win a tournament, but I felt
II lost a bit of early momentum and rhythm by
taking February off. As a result, my game just
wasn’t where I wanted it to be coming out of that.
In fairness, I had a lot going on at the end of 2018
with the chase for the World No.1 position, which was
always on my mind, so I felt I needed the rest in February
ahead of hectic new spring and summer schedule. But I felt
like I was fixing my game on the road each week and I just
found it hard to get my confidence going. The season
seemed to pass so quickly that I didn’t really feel like I built
in my practice times and training camps with my team, an experience that’s just kept on giving for me. Playing in
which I’m normally really good at. Tokyo and defending my gold medal is going to be a huge
I was really comfortable with all of my new Honma thrill and something that I’ll be very fired up for.
equipment. When I’m on the range and look at my data, my Of course, the major season starts at the Masters in
equipment is now fantastic from top to bottom. From that April. That’s always a huge highlight and it’s a tournament
perspective, I’m very comfortable and happy. I’m not second I’ve been very close to winning in the past. Then it’s the
guessing anything. I’ve also really enjoyed the fact that USPGA at TPC Harding Park, the US Open at Winged
there’s some flexibility in the equipment deal in terms of Foot and The Open at Royal St George’s. Then off the
putters and wedges. Overall, I putted well and there are back of the Olympics we’ve got the FedEx Cup and the
definitely aspects of my game that improved last year. But Ryder Cup, so it’s a year where so many big events come
when I looked at my swing on video there were a couple of thick and fast. From April through September, I’m really
bad habits that I found hard to break. My backswing got a just going to be rolling with it as best I can – there won’t be
little upright and cupped, so I started to get a bit of a two- many chances to take time off. It’s going to be about
way miss going. keeping my game sharp and trying to hit as many high
Although things didn’t go as perfectly as I’d have liked, points as possible in those big tournaments.
I competed really hard and made the most of my game in I learnt a lot from how I approached the new schedule
many situations. I competed well at the US Open and had a and I’ll definitely put some time and attention into the
chance to win without playing my best stuff and I was out training side of the game, as well as the competing side, this
in the second to last group in the final round of The Open. year. Some of the shifts I want to make are built around
On a more positive note, Torrey Pines is a great place to how I approach my weeks on tour. I really want to focus on
win and it was amazing to be back at Wentworth for the just being there to compete and save the harder working for
BMW PGA Championship in September. The new timing when I’m not at tournaments. I’ve structured a practice plan
for the event is fantastic. You always have a great chance of for my weeks off at home and I’m going to use my coaches
good weather in mid-September. But even sweater weather a little differently, too. I felt the hours I was putting into
is still great golfing conditions. The event also comes after a my days out on tour were too long. You really want to be
full growing season and the course was in perfect condition. mentally fresh to give it your best on a Sunday, so I’m going
I think Wentworth has really found its feet and its to change my workload and focus more on working with
character again after all the changes through the years. my team away from tournaments. Happy New Year to
We’ve got a huge year coming up for golf in 2020 – and I everybody and I hope you have a great golfing year in 2020.
turn 40 as well. Hopefully I can derive some inspiration
from the great players who’ve played well in their 40s.
There’s so much to look forward to and the Olympics is a Justin Rose is a US Open champion and Olympic Gold medallist
big event on my radar. Rio in 2016 was incredible and it’s who has played on the European and PGA Tours for 20 years.

22 Golf World February 2020 | golfworldtop100.com