A 2013 U.S. Open champion, Olympic gold medalist in Rio, and former world No. 1, Justin Rose is still winning on the PGA Tour at age 45.
Who is Justin Rose?
Justin Rose is an English professional golfer, born on July 30, 1980, in Johannesburg, South Africa, who moved to England as a child. He first came to the world’s attention in 1998: while still an amateur at age 17, he tied for fourth place at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. He turned pro the very next day. His early career was difficult, but he gradually established himself among Europe’s top players and won the European Tour’s Order of Merit in 2007.
He reached his peak in 2013 with a victory at the U.S. Open in Merion. He then became an Olympic champion in Rio in 2016, won the FedEx Cup in 2018, and was ranked No. 1 in the world that same year. Still competitive, he finished second at the 2025 Masters after a playoff against Rory McIlroy, won the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship, and then the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open by seven strokes, at 23 under par. He also tied for third place at the 2026 Masters.
Justin Rose's Career Highlights
| Tournament or Record | Result |
|---|---|
| Major Tournaments | 1: 2013 U.S. Open (Merion) |
| Masters | 2nd in 2015, 2017, and 2025; tied for 3rd in 2026 |
| Olympic Games | Gold Medal in Rio (2016) |
| FedEx Cup | 2018 Champion |
| World Rankings | World No. 1 in 2018 |
| PGA Tour Victories | 13 (the last one at the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open) |
| Victories on the European circuit | 11 |
| Order of European Merit | 2007 Champion |
| Ryder Cup | 7 appearances: 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2023, 2025 (five European titles) |
| 1998 Open Championship | Tied for 4th place at age 17, top amateur |
Justin Rose's Game
Justin Rose has one of the most elegant and “cleanest” swings on the tour. Tall, flexible, and very well-balanced, he has worked extensively on his swing mechanics with his coach, Sean Foley. What’s striking is his longevity: nearly thirty years after his debut, he remains capable of beating the best, thanks to a technique that’s easy to replicate and a very methodical preparation routine.
Justin Rose's Swing and Irons
Justin Rose is an excellent iron player, capable of hitting many greens in regulation. He emphasizes the connection between how you feel and what you actually do, a stable stance, and a club path that stays on the axis. His drills are often easy to replicate on the driving range using a simple alignment stick or a towel.
Justin Rose's Putting
When it comes to putting, Justin Rose is known for his discipline. He works with putting coach Phil Kenyon on reading the greens, speed, and roll. He has also changed his grip several times—including switching to the “claw” grip—to regain his feel for the game under pressure.
Justin Rose's Strategy
His extensive experience makes him a very good strategist: choosing the right target, settling for par, and knowing when to attack to string together birdies. It’s often this maturity that makes the difference on the challenging courses of the majors.
Justin Rose's Lessons on Best Golf Tips
Here’s what’s on the agenda for the Justin Rose lessons we’re preparing: his method for creating more birdie opportunities, his philosophy on the short game and play around bunkers, lobs and chips, his balloon and rope exercise to coordinate his arms with his body rotation, his tip for reading greens, his summary of the basics of putting for Sky Sports, and a real putting session with his coach Phil Kenyon, filmed by the DP World Tour. In each video, Justin Rose explains himself what he’s doing and why. We’ll summarize each video, highlighting the key points, common mistakes to avoid, and an exercise to try on the driving range.
Justin Rose's lessons, selected for Best Golf Tips, will soon be summarized, along with the original video. In the meantime, check out the best tips from the pros at putting, the swing and the swing plane, irons and ball compression, the learning path strategy and wedge play, pitching, and chipping.
To learn more, check out his coach's profile Sean Foley and those of Rory McIlroy, who defeated him in the playoffs at the 2025 Masters, and Tommy Fleetwood, his Ryder Cup teammate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Justin Rose
How old is Justin Rose?
Justin Rose was born on July 30, 1980, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He will be 46 years old as of November 3, 2026.
Is Justin Rose English or South African?
He is English. Born in Johannesburg, he grew up in England and competes for England and Europe.
Which major tournament has Justin Rose won?
The 2013 U.S. Open, in Merion, Pennsylvania. He has also finished second at the Masters three times (2015, 2017, 2025).
Is Justin Rose an Olympic champion?
Yes. He won the gold medal in the men's tournament at the 2016 Rio Olympics, marking golf's return to the Games.
Has Justin Rose ever been ranked No. 1 in the world?
Yes, in 2018, the year he also won the FedEx Cup.
How many wins does Justin Rose have on the PGA Tour?
November 13–3, 2026, the final round of the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open, which he won by seven strokes.
Who is Justin Rose's coach?
He works on his swing with Canadian Sean Foley and his putting with Phil Kenyon.
