Justin Rose admitted to having blended feelings after his bid to grow to be the primary Englishman to win the Open since 1992.
Sir Nick Faldo was the final however all week, Rose’s title has been near the highest of the leaderboard and he started the day only one off the lead.
He went to the flip in 33 on the ultimate day, twice briefly holding the lead, however he was overpowered by Xander Schauffele over the again 9 along with his American enjoying associate posting 31 to his 34.
TEARS
By the point the pair reached the final, Rose knew Schauffele’s lead was unassailable however a 15-foot birdie putt had the 43-year-old punching the air as he secured a share of second.
“I used to be gutted once I walked off the course and it hit me laborious as a result of I used to be so robust on the market right this moment,” he stated after posting a 67 to complete seven beneath, two behind the winner.
“I gained second place, I gained factors, I gained prizes, FedExCup factors, all that stuff too. At that time, you’re being an expert.
“Then I stroll 10 steps later and I’m choking again tears.
“However by way of how I performed and the execution of my feelings right this moment, my mindset, I left all of it on the market. I’m tremendous happy with how I competed.
“The deal I made with myself right this moment was to come back off with no regrets.
“Clearly, I’ll have a couple of extra possibilities however you understand that this was an excellent alternative and also you wish to stroll off the golf course going ‘Yeah, I didn’t squander that’.
“However I felt tremendous comfy on the market, which the truth that I haven’t actually been in competition a lot this yr, that offers me a whole lot of coronary heart.”
Rose needed to come by means of remaining qualifying to have the ability to play at Royal Troon however his second-place end will guarantee he doesn’t have to try this subsequent yr at Royal Portrush.
He has three high 10s and 4 missed cuts in his final seven majors, together with a joint sixth at Might’s US PGA – which was additionally gained by Schauffele.
RYDER CUP
That has given the Ryder Cup winner the assumption he can compete on the highest degree in opposition to the younger weapons for a while longer.
“The PGA Championship at Valhalla on a golf course that most likely shouldn’t swimsuit me that effectively – a bomber’s paradise – I received myself proper within the combine there till a few late bogeys however I used to be within the hunt proper there as effectively, again 9 Sunday,” he added.
“Two main championships this yr – strongest fields in golf. They’ve been my two finest weeks.
“That’s what I’m gunning for. That’s what I’m working laborious for, is to have these big-time moments in my profession.
“I felt like Rome (for the Ryder Cup) was certainly one of them a couple of months again. I put that up there by way of what it meant to me, by way of what I’m searching for towards the tip of my profession.”
