Justin Rose said his latest run at the Masters was the “chance that got away” as he let slip a final-round lead and fell short of the Green Jacket once again.
The Englishman, a three-time runner-up at Augusta National, was unable to shed his ‘nearly man’ tag as he finished joint third at 10 under – two behind Rory McIlroy, who beat Rose in a play-off last year and successfully defended his title on Sunday.
Rose stormed through the front nine and led by two shots at the turn, but faltered at Amen Corner’s 11th and 12th holes and was unable to recover.
The 45-year-old, who was aiming to become the oldest first-time Masters champion, said: “I was by no means free and clear and was nowhere close to having the job done, but I was right in position.”
Rose’s momentum stalled with a bogey on the 11th, while a fluffed chip cost him another shot on the iconic par-three 12th.
He found the green of the par-five 13th in two, but sent the eagle opportunity whistling past the hole and was forced to settle for a par with a three-putt.
His bid for a second major title vanished with another bogey on the 17th, extending the 13-year drought since his 2013 US Open triumph.
“I was really in control – the first 10 holes I felt like I was – and the mentality was to run through the finish line, not just try and get it done,” Rose said.
“I was playing great, but momentum shifted for me around the Amen Corner. That three-putt was untimely for sure.”
Rose was praised for his gracious sportsmanship in congratulating McIlroy after last-year’s play-off, and he received a warm reception from the patrons on the 18th as he wrapped up a two-under 70 to tie for third alongside Cameron Young, Tyrrell Hatton and Russell Henley.
However, Rose said coming up short this year was more frustrating than his play-off defeat 12 months ago.
“I feel like with a sudden-death loss, you kind of know you got to the house,” said Rose, who also lost an Augusta play-off to Sergio Garcia in 2017.
“You’ve done everything it took to win, then it comes down to flick of a coin at times.
“Today I felt there was an opportunity to do better, so obviously that is frustrating.”
While it was “another little stinger” for Rose in his 21st Masters appearance, he is not giving up on the Green Jacket dream just yet.
“I’ll just keep knocking on that door. See you next year, Augusta,” he posted on X.