Former world No 1 Justin Rose is optimistic about his chances ahead of the BMW PGA Championship, which teed off at the Wentworth Club early on Thursday.
With a whole host of exciting players contending for the title over the course of the next four days, the event, which is also the third on the Rolex Series, promises to provide a lot of fireworks and excellent golf.
Rose’s best finish at the event came back in 2012 as runner-up to countryman Luke Donald, but he is heading into the first round highly motivated after a few tweaks to his game recently.
‘I think, ultimately the decision was I turned 40 this year and maybe I was fully grown up and ready to do more by myself, and not have so much hand holding,’ said Rose.
‘I still have Sean Foley around me, whom I can consult with if I have a question. That’s the way I treat it. If I have a question, go to someone and get the relevant answer, but to take a little bit more ownership myself.
‘I think it was more through the three months of being at home and being in lockdown and having space away from the Tour realising what I wanted, and also practising by myself for three months and figuring things out, and go back on Tour, why get a whole new set of thoughts of someone who has not seen you for three months.’
Rose ultimately admits that the break from golf and his age made him realise that a few changes were needed to remain competitive, which has led to him only becoming more determined to do well.
‘For me, it was a transition time and time to make those changes. They haven’t paid off but we’ll see. I tried to keep all my relationships intact. Like Bryson’s coach, Chris Como, says: “You have to leave a trail of popcorn or whatever it is. You don’t want to go too far on a tangent so you can’t find your way back.” So, I’ve been cognisant of that, too.’
Rose has been paired alongside fellow Englishman Sam Horsfield and Ian Poulter in a featured group for the opening two rounds of the event.
