Flying Start Crucial for Justin Rose’s Masters Success

Justin Rose’s performance at the start of the season could significantly impact his chances at a second Major title. At 45 years old, he demonstrated that he remains a formidable competitor, particularly after his strong showing last year at The Masters, where he narrowly lost to Rory McIlroy in a playoff.

Flying Start: Key to Justin Rose’s Masters Success

Rose kicked off his 2026 season at the Farmers Insurance Open held at Torrey Pines. He opened with an impressive 10-under-par 62, seizing the first-round lead. A solid performance in San Diego would set a positive tone for the year. It would also bode well for his prospects in upcoming Majors, especially The Masters.

Patterns of Success at Augusta National

Historically, players demonstrating strong early-season form tend to excel at The Masters. Rose’s record supports this observation, with seven top-10 finishes at Augusta National. Notably, he achieved six of those following at least one top-six finish in the tournaments leading up to the event.

• Top-three finishes prior to Masters:
• Five times, including 2017 and 2025 with playoff losses against Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy.
• Before his best finishes, Rose often had strong early spring performances.

Although he has experienced some missed cuts early in seasons, a strong start usually propels him to contention. Consistent early finishes increase the likelihood of a solid performance at Augusta.

Justin Rose’s Early Season Performance

In past years, when Rose began the season with solid results, he consistently found success at The Masters. Some relevant statistics include:

As he prepares for Augusta, Rose’s early-season results will be crucial. If he can replicate a strong start this year, he may well be a top contender at The Masters once again.