Justin Rose breaks silence in touching message to Rory McIlroy after heartbreaking Masters play-off defeat

• Justin Rose and McIlroy were tied on 11 under par at final round of the Masters
• McIlroy edged the sudden death play-off to complete the career Grand Slam
• It was Rose’s second play-off defeat at Masters after 2017 loss to Sergio Garcia  

By TUM BALOGUN

Justin Rose insisted that he ‘gave it everything’ in a touching congratulatory message to Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman edged him out in a nail-biting sudden death play-off at the Masters. 

Rose emerged as McIlroy’s closest competitor after four thrilling rounds at Augusta National. The 44-year-old sank an incredible 10 birdies on Sunday to force the contest in a play-off for the coveted green jacket. 

McIlroy would ultimately prove victorious, condemning Rose – a one-time major winner – to his second agonising play-off defeat at the storied golf club. 

His opponent’s win saw him end an 11-year wait for a major and become the sixth man to compete the career slam. After the dramatic finale, Rose was gracious in defeat, hailed McIlroy’s achievement and revealed it was ‘very cool’ to share the green with the 35-year-old. 

‘I gave it everything,’ he began in a post on X. ‘Congratulations to Rory McIlroy on winning the Masters and completing the Grand Slam. Very cool sharing the green with you in that moment. 

‘Thank you Team as always for all the support during the week. We go again.’

Justin Rose has broken silence after his agonising sudden death play-off defeat to Rory McIlroy

He congratulated McIlroy on completing the career Grand Slam after his win at Augusta

McIlroy ended an 11-year wait for a major, becoming the sixth man to complete the Grand Slam

They embraced after the painstaking finish, with Rose later telling CBS what he said to McIlroy

Rose’s last birdie of the day came on the 18th hole, when he nailed a 20-foot putt to push his score to 11-under and give him the co-lead alongside McIlroy.

McIlroy could have avoided a play-off with a par on 18, but flubbed a short putt to extend the tournament. 

He ultimately held his nerve in the play-off after a spectacular approach shot, birdying for the win while Rose had to settle for par. 

For Rose, it’s the second time he’s lost in a Masters play-off, as he previously fell to Sergio Garcia at the final hurdle in 2017.

Nonetheless, the Englishman rolled back the clock with his performance in Augusta this week. 

Rose and McIlroy pair embraced following the painstaking finish, with Rose later telling CBS what he said to McIlroy.

‘I just said to him this is a historic moment in golf. It’s pretty cool to share that moment with him,’ he said. 

‘I wanted to be the bad guy today but it’s a momentous occasion for the game of golf.’

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Justin Rose breaks silence in touching message to Rory McIlroy after heartbreaking Masters play-off defeat

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