Justin Rose crowned National champion

British golfer captures first title since last year’s US Open.

BETHESDA: Britain’s Justin Rose won for the first time since capturing last year’s US Open, parring the first playoff hole to defeat Shawn Stefani and take the $6.5 million US PGA National.

The 33-year-old Englishman and Stefani, seeking his first PGA triumph, finished 72 holes deadlocked on four-under par 280 after both fired one-under 70s on Sunday.

Rose hit into the trees and the water at the last regulation hole but sank a 15-foot bogey putt to stay tied for the lead, then watched the American match his watery fate at the same 18th hole to lose the playoff.

After claiming the $1.1 million top prize, Rose will take a week off before playing the Scottish Open as his final warm-up for the 143rd British Open at Royal Liverpool starting July 17.

“It’s a huge boost confidence-wise for sure,” said Rose. “I haven’t really been playing with a lead all year. To do it and get it done and make key putts, that’s huge for my psyche going into a major championship.”

Rose won his first major title last year at Merion, struggled trying to defend the US Open crown two weeks ago at Pinehurst, but on Sunday won his sixth US crown.

“It has not been lost on me that I have not won for over a year so it was nice to get on the right side of that very quickly.”

Meanwhile, Rose is now up two places to eighth in the world golf rankings following his win on Sunday.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2014.

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