Justin Rose begins the US PGA Tour postseason ranked 51st in the FedEx Cup standings, but judging by the hero’s welcome he has received at Bethpage, a bystander could believe he’s the man to beat over the next five weeks. As Rose is finding out, winning an Olympic gold medal bestows such reception.
“I’ve really noticed a difference from people’s reactions and stuff like that,” Rose said to the media before this week’s Barclays. “The whole experience, I think from start to finish, exceeded my expectations and certainly winning has blown me away in terms of the reach that it has and the global audience that it has and the fact that, yeah, just the feel and like I said, the reach that it’s really had for me.”
Rose did admit that keeping focused during the FedEx Cup could be an issue, especially coming off the Rio high. Still, he maintains that it’s an enviable position to be in.
“Quite clearly that’s always more energy expended in terms of everybody wanting to congratulate you, but that brings good energy, too,” Rose stated. “So it depends how you try to see it. I’m going to try and take the positives from it, feed off it.”
The 2013 US Open champ could use the encouraging vibes. In 10 FedEx Cup appearances, Rose has finished the season in the top-five standings just once (fifth in 2011).
However, that will be decided in the upcoming weeks. For now, the 36-year-old is reveling in the Olympic Games spotlight. He’s even envisioned a way to put his medal to use.
“It’s much easier to travel with than a normal trophy. You can just kind of slip it in your pocket and then carry on,” he remarked. “The Olympic gold would be a nice coaster for a glass of wine.”