Justin Rose Triggers “Shouldn’t Have to Qualify’ Open Championship Debate Amid Fans After Latest Attempt

After all, why not?! Justin Rose has decided to sign up for the final qualifying round of the Open Championship. It’s a tournament he has played twenty times in his career, 13 consecutive years between 2007 and 2019. Royal Troon—this year’s venue, hosted the Open back in 2016 as well, where Rose netted a solo 22nd. 

The British International has three top-10s in the Open championship, including a runner-up finish in the 2018 edition. The 11-time PGA Tour winner wasn’t otherwise exempt via one of the 26 criteria determined by R&A for the 152nd Open. But Rose decided to give it a shot nonetheless, at one of the four venues of the final qualifying. 

Burnham & Berrow, Dundonald Links, Royal Cinque Ports, and West Lancashire will host the 36-hole qualifiers. Rose, a resident of London, has signed up in Burnham & Barrow, Somerset. The 2013 U.S. Open champion will vie for one of the four spots available at the par-71, 6,980-yard layout. Rose will tee off at 9.30 AM BST (4.30 AM ET) for the first round, and 3 PM BST ( 10 AM ET), for the second round. 

Similar to the U.S. Open qualifying, in case of a tie for the final spot, a sudden-death playoff decides the fate of those on the line. Aside from Rose, Thomas Detry, and Laurie Canter are also two notables vying for an Open spot. While fans are rooting for the veteran golfer, they also point out Rose should’ve been given a special exemption.

Justin Rose should’ve been exempt per some fans

A large section of fans opine that Justin Rose should earn an exemption. Rose has been to the US 13 times, most recently at last year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Let’s also not forget Rose was the Gold medalist in the Rio Olympics. 

Moreover, his performance in the 2024 Ryder Cup proved his worth, some of them pointed out. “How is there not an exemption for the greatest British golfer of his generation?” “A legend like rosey shouldn’t have to qualify!!!” “The way he played in his first Open and competed in countless Ryder Cups deserves some consideration along with a 63rd world ranking spot.” Comments like this betray the sentiment among fans. 

On paper, Justin Rose is a shadow of himself from his glory days. The mantle of representing the English flag in the global arena is largely borne by Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, and the like. But Rose retains his enduring popularity among English fans, most of who are eager to see him tee off at Royal Troon. 

No doubt, many would keep an eye on the final qualifying scores. One of them commented, “Looking forward to watching him tomorrow.” Rose was the low amateur on his debut, tying for 4th. One fan recounted, “[I]t was great seeing him play in the Open when I first saw him playing in the Open at Royal Birkdale when he was an amateur I was only a few yards from him when he chipped in at the last at Royal Birkdale so good luck Justin.” 

Justin Rose missed the cut at the Masters and the U.S. Open but crammed a T6 at the PGA Championship in between. It remains to be seen if the 43-year-old fan favorite can conjure some magic at Somerset on July 2.