Justin Rose Shines in First Round of 2025 Masters Tournament
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Justin Rose, who first captured the attention of golf fans as a teenager in 1998, made a remarkable start at the Masters Tournament this year. Many remember him as the 17-year-old prodigy who performed exceptionally well at The Open Championship. Fast forward to 2025, and he is still a strong competitor in the world of golf, proving that experience and talent remain formidable assets.
Rose kicked off his first round at Augusta National with an impressive display of skill. He opened with three consecutive birdies, quickly establishing himself at the top of the leaderboard, even surpassing the reigning world No. 1, Scottie Scheffler. As the round progressed, Rose continued his strong performance, finishing with an outstanding score of 7-under 65. By the end of the round, he held a commanding three-stroke lead over the pack, setting the tone for the rest of the tournament.
This strong start is no surprise to those who have followed Rose’s career closely over the past two decades. He’s been a steady presence on the PGA Tour, consistently performing well, though sometimes falling short of the extraordinary levels anticipated from him during his early career. After his memorable run in 1998, the expectations placed on Rose were monumental, leading many to believe that major victories would come easily for him in the years that followed.
However, it wasn’t until 2013 that Rose captured his first major title at the U.S. Open, where he triumphed over veteran golfer Phil Mickelson. This victory marked a significant moment in his career, serving as both a milestone achievement and a source of relief for the golfer, especially when compared to his fellow British competitor, Lee Westwood, who had yet to claim a major at that time.
Since then, Rose has continually put himself in contention for more major titles. In 2015, he demonstrated his skills with a T2 finish at the Masters, along with strong results at The Open and the PGA Championship, finishing in the top six and four respectively. Remarkably, since his first major win, he has completed most seasons without any major title gaps, often finishing in the top ten or as a runner-up multiple times. One of the most memorable moments of his pursuit came during the 2017 Masters, where he suffered a heartbreaking playoff loss to Sergio Garcia.
At 44 years old, Rose is still proving that he belongs in the conversation when it comes to major competitions. His performance on the first day of the Masters demonstrates his resilience and ability to compete at a high level. After starting with those three birdies, he added three more at holes 8, 9, and 10, and picked up additional strokes at holes 15 and 16.
Despite a slight hiccup at the 18th, where a wayward drive into the trees cost him a stroke, his overall performance was strong enough to keep him well ahead of his competitors. Scottie Scheffler, who played a steady round without any bogeys, finished the day at 68 strokes but could not match Rose’s blistering pace.
With the Masters still ahead of him, Rose will look to maintain his momentum through the upcoming rounds. His continued presence as a contender in majors speaks volumes about his skill and determination. Golf fans will be watching closely to see if he can capitalize on this strong start and perhaps add another major title to his illustrious career.
As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen if Rose can hold onto his lead and secure the coveted green jacket. His journey has certainly been one filled with ups and downs, but his performance at Augusta so far shows that he still has what it takes to compete with the best in the game. Whether or not he walks away victorious this year, Rose’s story highlights the enduring spirit of a golfer who has been a constant in the sport for nearly three decades.
