Joaquin Niemann and Justin Rose are at different points in their careers, and they have achieved very other things in golf. Though not exactly the same and without context, their statements had a familiar feel to them.
The excitement of winning on the PGA Tour at a venue with so much history added to the occasion caused them to be said almost a year apart.
Niemann stated last year at Riviera, shortly after winning the Genesis Invitational and posing with tournament host Tiger Woods, “There’s nothing that can rival this. Winning a PGA Tour event, earning a trophy, having Tiger there, all the history behind it.
Niemann, who was 23, rose to No. 20 in the world thanks to his second victory. Before the Chilean won and spoke so passionately about his goal to defeat the greatest in the world, he had discussed earlier in the week in private chats about the lure of Saudi-funded LIV Golf, which was still more rumor than fact at the time.
Rose is 42. Four years had passed since his last triumph anywhere in the world. He was not a candidate for the final European Ryder Cup squad in 2021. Last year, he started experiencing back pain. The previous U.S. Open champion appeared to be the perfect choice for LIV.
He gave it some thought but stopped there. He claimed that he cared more about majors, which begin with competing in them, and that the PGA Tour provided the greatest route to achieve that goal.
“So, instances like the one I just experienced… I made the choice out of sheer faith,” Rose said. Hope to succeed. I intend to put myself in this predicament. Recently, my game hasn’t offered many such chances. but I still hold on to the notion that it is feasible. So that’s what it’s for, to be in that circumstance on the 18th green at a location like Pebble, clutching a trophy.
What a site to win a tournament, Rose remarked as he ended his 65-66 weekend for his first victory in four years. Rose didn’t sound the part, but it doesn’t mean he won’t ever alter his mind. He knows exactly where he wants to go. Additionally, no money is guaranteed.
Not as significant as taking home one or more majors, Rose agreed. But in order to succeed, you must participate. I believe that is the case. You must ask yourself in the mirror, “Is it something that’s worth it for me?” before giving up on that opportunity.
Leaving the PGA Tour would have probably limited my playing to the U.S. Open. This year marks the end of his 10-year exemption from winning at Merion in 2013.
Rose’s PGA Tour career earnings are almost at $60 million, and it has been an incredible journey. When he was a 17-year-old amateur, he competed for the claret jug at Royal Birkdale but failed to make the cut 20 times in a row to begin his professional career.
His possession of medals from the six major golf tours—the PGA Tour, Europe, Japan, Asia, South Africa, and Australia—stands out among his 23 victories across the globe.
He is ranked alongside Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia, two close friends who were also born in 1980. Rose only has one major, the U.S. Open at Merion, although he competed in the final group at Pebble Beach for the U.S. Open and lost to Garcia in a playoff at the Masters.
Since St. Andrews in 2010, Rose has qualified for every major tournament; this streak was in jeopardy until he won at Pebble Beach. His standing in the world was at its lowest point in 12 years. He was referring to blind faith when he said that.
He rose to No. 35 as a result of the win from No. 71. Five times, never for more than two months, he has topped the charts. He no longer values that as highly as he previously did.
“I feel like I’ve accomplished enough in the game to not pursue returning to the top spot. My main objective is to perform well enough to believe I can win majors, Rose remarked. Rule No. 1 is obviously that you have to be in them. Moments like these are crucial because they allow me to return to those competitions.
