Final Shot with Justin Rose

Just days before winning the UBS Hong Kong Open, the 2013 US Open champion talked to Alex Jenkins at Fanling about his golfing heros, his favourite courses and why Casino Royale remains his favourite James Bond film

When did you first pick up a club?

My mum bought me my first set of plastic clubs when I was about two. I never put them down. I definitely had a passion for cracking the ball and chasing it and cracking it again. I’d be entertained for hours. Anytime a parent finds something that entertains their kids for hours, they’re pretty keen for them to keep doing it. My dad played a bigger role as I grew up and got distracted by other sports. But he obviously saw a talent there and nurtured it.

Who is your golfing hero?

Even for English kids, Seve [Ballesteros] was amazing. Obviously we had Nick Faldo to look up to, and Greg Norman and Nick Price. And when I was 13 or 14, Ernie Els was coming through. Today, I’d like to be Dustin Johnson. Just for a day!

What’s your longest drive?

When I’m using Trackman, I always look at my carry and my best is 308 [yards]. Conditions and run out, no idea.

Which is your favourite James Bond Film?

Casino Royale. They actually used some of the beach I live on to film some of it [in the Bahamas].

Which celebrity would you like to play a round with?

Golfers are lucky - tonnes of celebs love their golf, tonnes of sportsmen love their golf. One that is popping into my mind would be Justin Timberlake; he’s a pretty cool guy and obviously a namesake. He also loves his golf and even owns a golf course, so ... JT.

Pages

Written by Alex Jenkins

Photography by Kimi Tai

Click here to see the published article.

A Name to be Remembered - John Catlin
It may not resonate as well as his compatriot Patrick Reed, who along with another Masters champion Sergio Garcia are expected to light up this month’s Honma Hong Kong Open presented by Amundi...
Final Shot with Greg Kinnear
"Kinnear" appears to be a Celtic name. What are your family roots? Lineage? If you look way, way back? There's plenty of Scotch in there and a little Irish. So, I'm both happy and depressed at...
The Ordinary Heroes
Very often in golf, a hero will emerge. He rises from near oblivion to become the next great hope in the sport with his name moving beyond just a byword to a feature in the headlines....
Becoming a Wilson Staff
I needed new golf clubs that was for sure. My Ben Hogan Apex irons were well and truly shot. I had broken the 5-iron against a tree long ago, my pitching wedge had gone missing and, my 3-iron was...
Livewire - The New Pat Perez
To know Pat Perez is to understand the dynamics of his flavorful persona. That there can be two diverse sides to his PGA TOUR saga – one win in his first 378 starts; two triumphs in the last 85...
PGA TOUR's October Asia Fest
It is becoming a wonderful tradition for the game in the Far East when fans can prepare to welcome and celebrate the best golfers on the planet, thanks largely to the PGA TOUR bandwagon which...
It's Not All About Winning
I have to admit to being a big fan of attending The Open on the practice days. Not only is it significantly cheaper, £25 as opposed to £80, but it’s obviously a lot quieter, and there is a chance...
Defending the Roll of Honour
Headline writers all over the world have enjoyed a field day since Justin Rose sensationally holed out from the rough on the 72nd hole as a 17-year-old amateur to finish a fairy-tale fourth at...
In Conversation with Siddikur Rahman
While mastering the grammar of golf, the narrative for most golfers on Tour has always been their desire to live their dreams and be the best they can. Beyond the public relations armoury...
In Memory of Peter Thomson
Considered one of Australia’s greatest golfers, Thomson assisted with the renovation of the Old Course and was also involved in designing the Eden Course. He played in the first Hong Kong Open...

Pages