Augusta, GA

Justin Rose coping with the ‘torment’ of Masters close call

Published

11 months ago

April 17, 2025

Justin Rose coping with the ‘torment’ of Masters close call

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, right, greets Justin Rose, of England, after winning in a playoff after the final round the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
AP

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — The farther Justin Rose drove from Augusta National only made him realize how close he came to winning the Masters.

His phone kept buzzing on the way to Hilton Head Island, one text after another, all of them with the same message that applauded his remarkable rally and offered commiseration and condolences for his runner-up finish to Rory McIlroy.

Rose started the final round seven shots out of the lead, too far back to think about winning. He made a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th for a 66. He was in a sudden-death playoff. He lost on a great shot by McIlroy, who hit gap wedge to 3 feet for birdie.

It was a lot to process.

“A lot of outpouring from people with a lot of positive comments coming at me, so trying to absorb that, trying to absorb the week,” Rose said Wednesday at the RBC Heritage. “But at the same time, looking at my phone and just wishing there was a different message there.”

This is a path he knows well.

Rose had a 2-shot lead with six holes to play in the 2017 Masters when Sergio Garcia — like McIlroy, a good friend — made a most improbable rally to force a playoff and beat Rose on the first extra hole.

Rose was classy in defeat that day in 2017. He lovingly patted Garcia’s cheek, they embraced, and then Rose tapped Garcia on the heart. He knew what it meant for a talented Spaniard who had played 70 majors before winning.

He was equally gracious on Sunday, telling McIlroy when it was over he was happy to witness such a momentous occasion of the career Grand Slam.

It still hurts.

He searched for the right words. Rose was proud of how he played to match the low score of the final round with a 66. In one of those must-make moments in a major, he poured in a birdie on the last hole. There was a lot that went right. But there was no green jacket.

“Just sort of … don’t know what the right word is,” he said. “Tormented, probably, by the thought of what might have been.”

He joined Ben Hogan as the only player to lose a playoff twice at the Masters, and it might have stung worse for Rose because both his losses were in sudden-death. He now has had at least a share of the lead after 12 rounds at the Masters, fourth on the list behind Jack Nicklaus (19), Arnold Palmer (18) and Gary Player (12), who have combined to win 13 green jackets.

He has 23 wins worldwide, including a major at the U.S. Open and an Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro. He also has the distinction of congratulating a Masters champion on the 18th green three times in the last 10 years — Jordan Spieth in 2015, Garcia in 2017, McIlroy on Sunday.

The last time he lost the Masters in a playoff, Rose said it lingered for about a month. Sure, he made a few bogeys he’d like to have back from the final round Sunday. That’s true for anyone at any golf tournament. There’s still the sting of seeing someone else win.

Rose would rather look back to what followed after that 2017 loss. He went on to win three more times that year, including his second World Golf Championships title. He won the FedEx Cup the following year and rose to No. 1 in the world for the first time.

“If I look back to my best golf, 2017 August through to the end of ’18 is probably the most consistently good golf that I’ve ever played,” Rose said. “Obviously, I was a little bit more in the prime of my career around that time, or you could argue more prime.”

Rose, who turned pro as a teenager in 1998, will be 45 at the end of July.

“But I don’t see any reason that can’t be the same this time around,” he said. “I’m working well. I’m working hard. I’m feeling good about my game. I’ve been saying all year that my game is good. I’ve just got to make sure that I’m playing consistently well enough to give myself those opportunities, because majors come around … only four times a year.”

Rose can’t help but think how little it would take for him to be going to the PGA Championship next month at Quail Hollow with a shot at the career Grand Slam himself — briefly tied for the Sunday lead at Royal Troon, a playoff loss at the Masters.

“The last two majors I’ve been right there and been beaten by the top players in the world at the peak of their game,” he said.

What keeps him going at this stage? He will have completed his 28th year as a pro in July.

It’s moments like Sunday, being in the thick of it, delivering clutch moments. There was the birdie putt on the 18th at Augusta. There was that 8-foot putt on the 18th hole at the Ryder Cup in 2023 that earned a key halve. There was that walk up the 18th at Royal Troon last summer with thousands on their feet showing appreciation.

“I’m close to kind of some seriously good stuff,” Rose said.

Justin Rose reacts after missing an eagle putt on the 13th hole during the final round at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
AP

Source link

Click to comment

Augusta, GA

Best of the Gridiron: Top CSRA high school football athletes honored

Published

3 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Best of the Gridiron: Top CSRA high school football athletes honored

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The latest edition of the Best of the Gridiron Awards show is in the books.

Presented by the Augusta Sports Council, here’s a full list of the high school football athletes recognized for their performances during the 2025 season.

GEORGIA — FIRST TEAM

Offense

QB: Mekhi Wade — Lincoln County
RB: Tamari Curry — Westside
RB: Kelby Glaze — Lincoln County
WR: Jayden Futrell — Harlem
WR: Jaris Sinkfield — Thomson
OL: Solomon Mathis — Hephzibah
OL: Carter Messick — Grovetown
OL: Bryan Sapp — Burke County
OL: Liam Thompson — Harlem

Special Teams / Flex

Athlete: Jack Rhodes — Aquinas
Kicker: Fortson Partridge — Lincoln County
Punter: Shelton Freeman — Westside

Defense

DL: De’Antre Charles — Westside
DL: TK Reeves — Burke County
DL: Marcus Taylor — Laney
DL: Jeremiah Wynn — Lincoln County
LB: Chase Burley — Westside
LB: Logan Heyward — Hephzibah
LB: Elijah Hutchinson — Aquinas
LB: Marty Thomas — ARC
DB: Kennedi Bailey — Thomson
DB: Brennen Bjorkman — Greenbrier
DB: Zay Brinson — Thomson
DB: Joshua Crawford — Westside

SOUTH CAROLINA — FIRST TEAM

Offense

QB: Xavier Geter — Midland Valley
RB: Michael Doe — North Augusta
RB: Preston Smith — Midland Valley
WR: Kyson McLeod — South Aiken
WR: Shaheed Williams — Strom Thurmond
OL: Carter Boatwright — Strom Thurmond
OL: Malcolm Gaston — North Augusta
OL: Damien McIntosh — Aiken
OL: Seth Short — North Augusta

Special Teams / Flex

Athlete: Kaleb Simpkins — Strom Thurmond
Kicker: Jacob DeGennaro — North Augusta
Punter: Knox Young — South Aiken

Defense

DL: Simeon Jones — North Augusta
DL: Davion McKinnis — North Augusta
DL: Brandon Poston — Aiken
DL: Keyaideen Williams — Silver Bluff
LB: Grayson Kitchings — Aiken
LB: Jalen McGraw — Bamberg-Ehrhardt
LB: Akiem Mills — Ridge Spring-Monetta
LB: Deonte Phillips — Strom Thurmond
DB: Donte Bell — North Augusta
DB: Jaiden Holloway — Ridge Spring-Monetta
DB: Mekhi Quiller — Fox Creek
DB: Dallas Williams — North Augusta

Along with the over 50 award winners, the event also recognized the nation’s top Division-1 and FCS college punters.

Georgia’s Brett Thorson took home the 2025 Ray Guy Award back in December.

The born and raised Australian punted 42 times during Georgia’s 2025 season, averaging 45-yards per punt.

“Obviously, Georgia is home for me. Obviously, I don’t have a hometown that I have any bias to, so since moving here, Georgia has been home for me. It’s an extreme honor to keep it, and to know Ray was from Georgia himself is a nice little bit of icing on top,” said Thorson.

The Citadel’s James Platte was awarded the FCS Punter of the Year Award.

An award that seemed way out of reach during his early playing days.

“It’s a dream come true. Growing up always seeing all the Ray Guy awards coming out of here, especially when I was getting into punting a lot heavier in high school. It was always an aspiration and if you told me six years ago I was going to be here, I probably would have called you a liar,” said Platte.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Augusta looks to new solutions for old problem of illegal dumping

Published

15 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

Augusta looks to new solutions for old problem of illegal dumping

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There is a pile of problems around Augusta: illegal dumping, even in the middle of neighborhoods like Harrisburg. “People ride by. They throw trash in Harrisburg. They’re riding by. They’re throwing the trash,” said Mary Allen. Augusta is getting dumped on, and it has commissioners raising concerns. The Marshal’s Office is […]

Source link

Augusta, GA

Mark Watson Sullivan Obituary March 21, 2026 – Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Mark Watson Sullivan Obituary March 21, 2026 – Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors

Evans, GA – Mr. Mark Watson Sullivan born September 28, 1960 went home to be with his loving Savior on Saturday, March 21, 2026. He was the loving husband of 47 years to Robin Miller Sullivan and the loving son of the late C.M. “Jimmie” Sullivan and Barbara Widener Sullivan. He was also the brother of the late Lynn Charles Sullivan.

A native of Augusta, Mark retired from Procter & Gamble and later founded Sul-Tac, LLC that allowed him to pursue his passion. He was a devoted husband, a caring father, and a proud grandfather, known affectionately as “Pop,” who found great joy spending time with his family. Mark was quiet by nature, but exhibited a surprisingly contagious sense of humor. He held the virtues of wisdom, patience, and gentle strength. He instilled in his family the values of faith, integrity, and compassion leaving a legacy that will continue through their lives.

A Godly man at heart, Mark’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He lived with humility, served others selflessly, and carried a quiet strength that inspired all who knew him. He was a faithful servant of God and his life reflected his deep trust in God and his desire to walk in righteousness. Mark was a lifetime member of Warren Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher.

In addition to his wife, Mark is survived by his children: Wes (Ashlee) Sullivan, Marshall (Caroline) Sullivan, and Callie Sullivan; his grandchildren: Tyse Kellen Sullivan, Mila Reese Sullivan, Hendrix Lee Sullivan; his sister: Gail Sullivan Hawkins and husband Gene; and his niece: Susan Hawkins Reeder and husband Chris.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 11:30 A.M. in the Worship Center at Warren Church with Dr. David McKinley officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. A private burial will follow in Westover Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Larry Lynn, Rusty Marshall, Clay Ghann, Tony Tanner, Terry Mullenix, and Keith Beckworth. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons at Warren Church.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mark’s memory to the Warren Life Foundation, 3203 Washington Road, Augusta, GA 30907, https://warren.church/life-foundation/.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com.

Source link