Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Rose might not have taken home the trophy at The Sentry, but the Englishman went crazy low and etched his name into history.
It was quite the up-and-down week for PGA Tour veteran Justin Rose.
Following a mishap during Thursday’s first round of The Sentry that cost him a two-stroke penalty, Rose bounced back to finish strong in Maui, Hawaii.
The Englishman posted a 12-under 61 during his final round Sunday. That tied him with Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas and Matt Jones for the lowest 18-hole score in course history. Coincidentally, the other three men all accomplished that feat last year.
“This is a golf course that all the greats have come to, it’s the Tournament of Champions, right, all the great players on the PGA TOUR come here. So, to have equal low score in history is quite something,” Rose said after his round.
The 2013 U.S. Open champion actually had a lengthy putt on 18 to own the record himself. Hilariously, he was unaware of it though.
“I wasn’t sure what the course record was… I had a 35, 40-footer on the last hole, which I did leave short, maybe I wish I would have known at the time,” said Rose.
The Sentry, previously known as the Tournament of Champions, is known for players going low. The elevation and undulation of some of the tee boxes and fairways allow for monster drives and great scoring conditions.
Chris Kirk pulled out the victory Sunday, beating out Jordan Spieth and Sahith Theegala late for his sixth PGA Tour win. He posted a 29-under 263.
Rose did not come close to that score. His first three days doomed him chances. But on Sunday, he played spectacularly.
He’ll look to build off that momentum next week at The Sony Open.
“61 is a great round, something to build on now for the rest of the year.”
Kendall Capps is the Senior Editor of SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social media platforms.
