Justin Rose can bloom for Europe in Ryder Cup
Justin Rose may be the oldest member of Europe’s Ryder Cup team but there may also be no substitute for his experience at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome.
The 43-year-old was one of Luke Donald’s six captain’s picks for the showdown with the United States and his selection in the team is just reward for a return to form in 2023.
With a first tournament victory in four years and five top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this season, a Rose in bloom can help tilt the Ryder Cup battle in Europe’s favour.
United States favourites for victory
The odds certainly anticipate a close encounter, with the United States edging favouritism at 10/11 and Europe 5/4. If you are having a bet on Ryder Cup markets and fancy a repeat of the tie in the Solheim Cup, then that is a 12/1 chance. But it is in the top points scorer markets where there could be some value, with Rose a 25/1 shot to be overall top points scorer. The golf odds from Paddy Power also rate the 43-year-old a 12/1 chance to be Europe’s leading points scorer and, in a field of four, he is 3/1 to be the top English points scorer.
Rose has previous form when it comes to finishing top points scorer for Europe at the Ryder Cup when he claimed four points and was unbeaten in his five matches in the victory at Gleneagles in 2014.
The 2016 Olympic champion was overlooked for the record-breaking defeat by the United States two years ago, but in his previous five Ryder Cup appearances, he has always been trusted to deliver by his captain.
In three of his past Ryder Cup outings, Rose has featured in all five matches and, even as a rookie in 2008, he was involved in four matches, winning three of them and beating Phil Mickelson in the singles.
He beat Mickelson again in the singles in the ‘Miracle of Medinah’ four years later when he won both of his foursomes and it is in that format where Rose’s experience could prove to be particularly beneficial this time around.
Foursomes involves the players in each pairing taking alternate shots and Rose boasts a record of seven wins from 10 foursomes matches at the Ryder Cup.
A calming presence
His experience and generally calm presence will be a valuable asset to pair alongside any of the four rookies in Donald’s team and this was evident when he partnered the rookie Chris Wood to win a foursomes point in the United States in 2016.
In returning to form this season, Rose has demonstrated the tenacity needed at the Ryder Cup and in becoming the first European player to win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier this year, he also showed he does still know how to win a golf tournament.
He also posted top-10 finishes at The Players and the US PGA and has often tended to save his best golf for the biggest stages. As the elder statesman of Europe’s Ryder Cup team, the stage is now set for Rose to put all his experience and knowhow to use.
