Rose blossoms during fairy tale Open

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Posted: Sunday July 19, 1998 05:03 PM

Justin Rose finished in a tie for third but it was his chip from the rough at the 18th that bounced into the cup that set off the 40,000 spectators (AP)

SOUTHPORT, England (Reuters) -- In fairy tales, 17-year-old amateur golfers take the British Open by storm, threaten to win it and chip in from 45 yards in front of thousands of cheering fans at the 18th hole.

Justin Rose, from Hampshire, southern England, was one of the happy few to live that fairy tale on Sunday when he capped four days of heaven with a paradise ending.

He did not win the Open at Royal Birkdale.

But he did come close, finishing joint third and setting the 40,000 spectators at the Southport course alight with a chip from the rough at the 18th that bounced unerringly into the cup.

"I can't believe it really ... it was one of those incredible moments. The ball got nearer and nearer and finally disappeared," said Rose.

Rose delighted British fans for four days with his exuberant and relaxed approach to what can be a stuffy sport. He announced immediately after finishing his round that he was turning professional.

In typical style when asked when he had decided to give up his amateur status, he replied disarmingly: "Today, this moment."

He said he would be playing in the Dutch Open next week as a professional. "The way this week has gone, I think I'd be silly not to," he said.

Rose, one of a handful of amateurs to appear in the Open, began the tournament with an impressive 2-over-par 72 on the first day and the course started buzzing when he produced the best round, a 66, on the second day when storms made playing on the links course a nightmare.

Rose kept a cool head to limit the damage on a blustery third day to a 75, leaving him to start the final round just three shots off the lead -- ahead of the likes of Tiger Woods and Nick Price.

Sunday's round of 69 was a model of discipline as he countered three bogeys with four birdies, threatening the leading trio throughout the final nine holes.

While playing "smart golf," as Tiger Woods calls it, Rose delighted the crowds by being a thoroughly personable young man.

"To tell you the truth I was put at ease by the crowds. I went out there, I had a lot of fun and luckily played well," he said.

His 45-yard shot from deep rough into the 18th hole will be a memory that stays with him for a long time.

"At the beginning of my week all I wanted was to be part of it, almost getting the feeling of being a winning player coming up the 18th. That's how I felt today," he said.

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