I would love to push myself to try and win another Major: Justin Rose

This is Justin Rose’s second visit to India. The first was a good 22 years ago, when the English golfer played a skins game at DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon. “That was back in the day before DLF became the DLF of now,” Rose said.

Rose’s own journey over the last decades has seen tremendous highs. A 13-time winner on the PGA Tour, Rose hit the peak in 2013 when he won the U.S. Open, his first and only Major title. In September 2018, Rose rose to the World No. 1 spot, becoming only the fourth English golfer to reach those great heights after Nick Faldo, Lee Westwood, and Luke Donald.

At 46, Rose has lost none of his competitive spirit. Now ranked 18th on the Official World Golf Ranking list, Rose has had a good year, winning the Farmers Insurance Open in February with a tournament-record score of 23-under par.

In April, Rose led the Masters by two shots in the final round, but back-to-back bogeys saw him finish tied for third. Now in New Delhi to compete in the DP World India Championship, Rose is keen to add to his trophy cabinet. A self-confessed fan of Indian food, Rose plans to enjoy a tasty Tandoori meal along the way.

The South Africa-born Englishman spoke on a range of topics at a press conference in Delhi Golf Club. Excerpts:

How important is it for an event like this to come to India, where there is so much interest in golf?

It is fantastic to be playing golf in this region. It’s a country that is exploding in many, many ways, and I think that there is a commitment to golf here, with great sponsors and backers. This is an important time for golf to grow all around the world. What a field they have assembled here. Hopefully, that creates the interest that will help golf grow in this area.

You wanted to spend your 40th birthday in India, but it did not work out because of the COVID-19 restrictions. Tell us about your connection with India.