Justin Rose Wins 2026 Masters In Dramatic Final-Round Comeback
Justin Rose Wins 2026 Masters In Dramatic Final-Round Comeback...
Justin Rose captured his second Masters title Sunday with a stunning final-round 65 at Augusta National, overcoming a five-shot deficit to claim the green jacket. The 45-year-old Englishman finished at 14-under par, edging out world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler by one stroke in a thrilling back-nine duel watched by millions of American golf fans.
The victory marks Rose's first major championship since his 2013 U.S. Open win and makes him the oldest Masters champion since Jack Nicklaus in 1986. His emotional win is trending across U.S. sports media this morning as fans celebrate the veteran's perseverance and the tournament's dramatic finish during peak spring golf season.
Rose's victory came after a disastrous third-round 74 that seemingly took him out of contention. But he stormed back Sunday with six birdies in his first 11 holes, including a 40-foot putt on the iconic 12th hole that shifted momentum. The final pairing saw three lead changes between Rose and Scheffler over the last six holes.
"This one means more than the first," Rose told CBS Sports immediately after sinking his winning putt on 18. "At this stage of my career, to have this moment with my family here - it's everything we work for." His wife and two children joined him on the green for the trophy ceremony.
The win propels Rose from 38th to 12th in the world rankings and earns him $3.24 million from the tournament's record $20 million purse. Golf analysts note his victory continues a trend of veteran players succeeding at Augusta, where course knowledge often trumps raw power.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley called it "one of the great Masters finishes" during the green jacket presentation. Social media reaction highlighted Rose's emotional interview where he dedicated the win to his late father, who introduced him to golf as a child in England.
The tournament drew record TV ratings for ESPN and CBS, with Sunday's final round averaging 12.6 million viewers according to early Nielsen data. Golf fans particularly tuned in after Tiger Woods' early exit Friday due to injury, leaving the field wide open for dramatic storylines like Rose's comeback.
