LIV Players 'Will Be Missed' But Ryder Cup Won't Be 'Devalued' - Justin Rose
The Englishman says his Ryder Cup teammates of the past who have joined LIV Golf "will be missed" in Rome later this year
Justin Rose is back in the winner's circle for the first time in four years and looks set to mount a charge to make his sixth appearance for Team Europe.
The Pebble Beach Pro-Am winner could bring some much-needed experience to Luke Donald's side that looks set to be without the likes of Ryder Cup legends including Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson.
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Rose has admitted that the LIV players "will be missed" on both sides this year at Rome's Marco Simone Golf and Country Club but the biennial match won't be "devalued" without them.
"There is so much strength in depth I don't think it will be devalued," he said of the possibility that LIV Golf players will miss out.
"People like watching Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter. They bring a lot of passion. They will be missed for sure but it is what it is.
"You have the powers that be, the traditional people who kind of still have control of golf, and you have an upstart league which is trying to bring in a fresh idea and rival product. It's all good either way, it's just can both fit together in this scenario."
Rose, who has remained with golf's traditional circuits to ensure he can still earn world ranking points and compete in Majors, also spoke of his friends Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson not being involved.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"Poults and Stenson have been partners of mine in many Ryder Cup matches and we've won an awful lot of points together so from that point of view, I'll miss them out there," he said.
"I have seen them socially. I still text and call guys. Everyone can make their own decision, I do not think badly of them for doing that and they are still my mates.
"There are going to be consequences to that decision and obviously the rulings will determine whether that is good or bad for them. One good thing from a Ryder Cup point of view is this decision will be done early enough and whatever the outcome, there's time for relationships to heal. Clarity is what most of us want."
Rose's Pebble Beach win has moved him up to 35th in the world and up to ninth in the European 'World Points' list as he look set to mount a charge for his sixth Ryder Cup appearance later this year. It would be his first since 2018 at Le Golf National after he missed out on the delayed 2021 match at Whistling Straits.
"Missing out there was a little bit of a sucker punch," he told the BBC. "You come off a period of time when you are number one in the world and not far removed from it but you can't get into the Ryder Cup team.
"That was definitely a moment where you're like 'well I know I'm not playing great but my peers know I'm not playing great', that was kind of a wake-up call. Those feelings aren't great but they are huge motivators as well."
The Englishman is set to make his next start at the upcoming Genesis Invitational at Riviera next week in Los Angeles.
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
'Gator Netting Is In Place' - Chevron Championship Venue Prepared For 'Safe' Winner's Jump
A tradition which began at the tournament's previous home could continue this year - if the champion is feeling brave enough...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
New Balance 997 SL Golf Shoe Review
New Balance produce some extremely stylish footwear and, in this review, Matt Cradock takes their spikeless 997 SL onto the course
By Matt Cradock Published
-
The Banned Masters Item Which Could Have Really Helped Bryson DeChambeau's Chances This Weekend
Augusta National's strict policy regarding prohibited objects at its tournament contains one item which the leading LIV golfer could have really benefited from using
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golf Star Bryson DeChambeau Says ‘Mom Would Have Probably Smacked Me’ For Not Taking Huge $100m+ Deal
'The Scientist' was speaking about his decision to switch tours in 2022 and sign a reported $125 million deal with the LIV Golf League
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'We're Coming For That Green Jacket' - Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, And Sergio Garcia Backing LIV Golfer To Win The Masters
There are 13 LIV Golf players set to tee it up at Augusta National Golf Club next week - and it's fair to say that confidence is high among the group
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘Too Many People Are Losing Interest' - Bryson DeChambeau Says Agreement Between Tours Needs To Happen 'Fast'
The Crushers GC captain was speaking alongside Joaquin Niemann and Brooks Koepka ahead of LIV Golf Miami this weekend
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Paulina Gretzky Reveals Death Threats And Other 'Awful, Awful, Awful Things' After Dustin Johnson's LIV Golf Move
The daughter of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky shared some personal stories from around the time of her husband's switch from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf on Full Swing Season 2
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Mexico Open Prize Money Payout 2024
Tony Finau defends his title in a tournament offering $400,000 more than the 2023 edition
By Mike Hall Published
-
'Being Two Faced Is A Terrible Trait' - Ian Poulter Blasts Mystery Party On Social Media While Praising Rory McIlroy's LIV Golf U-Turn
The Ryder Cup legend shared a two-part Instagram story in which he commended Rory McIlroy's most-recent thoughts on LIV Golf while also criticizing a change of heart by a different mystery party
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Justin Rose Penalized After Playing Wrong Ball At The Sentry
The Ryder Cup legend admitted his mistake on social media following a contrasting first Thursday back on the PGA Tour
By Jonny Leighfield Published