JUSTIN ROSE is the flavour of the month, the whole year perhaps.
His victory in the Volvo Masters and subsequent claiming of the Order of Merit is quite remarkable given how few events he has played in Europe this season.
Britain, being Britain, is now hailing him as an imminent Major champion, the man to take on Tiger Woods come Augusta in April.
A word of warning though. It's not that easy. And I'm also not sure Rose is quite ready. Sorry, but that's just how I feel.
There is also a bit of history behind this thinking too. I remember similar expectations surrounding Luke Donald a couple of years ago.
Sadly, Donald has yet to really set the heather on fire and has just endured his most disappointing season as a pro. A fact which has gone under the radar given Rose achievements.
Rose, Donald, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, David Howell and Nick Dougherty are all gifted young golfers who could very easily make up the backbone of next year's Ryder Cup team.
The reality is, though, that there are a heck of a lot of talented golfers on the planet these days. They are coming from every country and are hungry for success. Australia alone now boast at least as many world-class performers.
Rose is currently the pick of our bunch but to expect him to stroll down Magnolia Lane in April and slip a Green Jacket over his shoulders is, frankly, daft.
I would like nothing more than to see that happen but I feel he is another season of development away from doing so. A win or two on the PGA Tour would be a significant step in that direction.
If it is in an event such as the Memorial with you know who in the field, all the better. There are still the odd rough edge for Rose to smooth over with his coach Nick Bradley although the evidence suggests they will do just that judging by the progress the duo have made in the past 12 months.
I hope I'm wrong and Rose makes the leap from European Tour champion to Major champion sooner than I'm predicting. If he doesn't, I hope we don't start suggesting he has flopped.
Rose has got to within touching distance of the top the hard way. Let's give him time to make that final, significant step.
By Chris Bertram
3 comments:
Brilliant. A bit of Tall Poppy Syndrome. This 'journalist' Bertram is scything trhe blooming Rose down before he has even flowered. This country...
The Order of Merit will do wonders for his confidence, look at Harrington. Playing the year as the top dog in Europe will do wonders for his confidence...
Colin Montgomerie may think differently though. He won eight Order of Merits and didn't do him much good in the Majors. Harrington still our best chance of another 'big one'.
Harry,
I was trying to emphasise that the British golfing public needed to beware of creating a Tall Poppy Syndrome with Rose.
Padraig Harrington made his Major breakthrough after years of steady, realistic progression and I feel that's the route Rose will take.
I think he'll get there eventually and win a couple of the big ones. I just hope he's burdened with unnecessary pressure.
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