SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — Justin Rose captured his first title in four years on Monday, making three-morning birdies after a back-nine restart to win the US PGA Tour’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Rose made long birdie putts at the 11th and 13th holes and birdied 14 — all in response to birdies by his closest rivals — to secure the triumph.
Former world number one Rose grabbed his 11th career PGA victory and his first since 2019 at Torrey Pines, another California oceanside course.
“Time flies by, doesn’t it?” Rose said. “It’s amazing how long it has been.”
“Sometimes you just do need a result. You can believe you’re making progress but there’s nothing like lifting some hardware to give you that peace of mind and that little bit of confidence.”
The 42-year-old Englishman finished on 18-under par 269 after going three-under on Monday to complete a final round of six-under-par 66.
“This is just a moment to say thanks to people who believe in me probably more than I do,” Rose said. “My team has been incredible. My family is at home… this one is for you guys.”
“What a place to win a tournament… waves crashing up. It was just an epic scene. It makes me emotional almost to win here at Pebble.”
Rose closed with four pars to become the first European champion at the event over the famed Monterey Peninsula layout, defeating Americans Brendon Todd and Brandon Wu by three strokes with US players Keith Mitchell, Peter Malnati, and Denny McCarthy another stroke adrift.
The victory earned Rose berths at the Masters in April and PGA Championship in May.
