The seventh of eight PGA Tour Signature Events is being held this week at Muirfield Village Golf Club, also known as Jack’s Place. The legendary golfer, Jack Nicklaus, is the annual host of The Memorial Tournament.
Through 36 holes, The Memorial has given players all they can handle. That includes Englishman Justin Rose.
Rose will enter the weekend at even par, seven shots behind the suddenly red hot Ben Griffin and Nick Taylor. Even that seemed unlikely for the 44-year-old after he carded a 6-over 78 on Thursday.
“Yesterday was a real kick in the goolies, as we say in England,” said Rose after his second round. “The back nine yesterday, the finish I had yesterday, was kind of tough, tough, but great to rebound today and see some red numbers.”
The 2013 U.S. Open champion did not just post red figures on Friday. He shot the second best round in the field, signing for a 6-under 66.
Even more impressive was in relation to the rest of the Memorial field. Rose picked up +7.06 strokes gained total, according to DataGolf. Much of that work was done on the greens as he led everyone in strokes gained putting (+3.74).
“Holing the shot at No. 3 kick-started things, suddenly I was in the red for the day,
plugging away… I knew I probably didn’t need to go super low to make the cut today, which is primary objective was to make the cut. But yeah, things really started flowing.
“I kind of hung in there with some good chips, some good short game at the right
time, made some good putts to keep momentum going, and that’s exactly what you need.”
There is still a ton of work to do if Justin Rose wants to contend Sunday evening. His even par score has him tied for 12th entering the weekend. But many of the world’s best are in front of him.
Scottie Scheffler is lurking at 4-under, just three shots off the lead. PGA Tour rising star Akshay Bhatia is one shot ahead of him. Even Jordan Spieth closed strong on Friday to pull within four of the lead.
Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa are also in red figures at 2-under par.
All of this makes for what should be a thrilling 50th edition of The Memorial Tournament.
More Golf: The Memorial: Max Homa Implodes as US Open Berth Slipping Away
The post The Memorial: Justin Rose ‘Kicked in the Goolies,’ Bounces Back appeared first on Newsweek.
