Augusta, GA — In a Masters Tournament that will long be remembered for Rory McIlroy’s historic win and career Grand Slam completion, another headline has taken center stage — Justin Rose’s candid and surprising comments following the final round.
Speaking to reporters just moments after the closing ceremony, the Englishman didn’t hold back when asked about McIlroy’s performance. “Look, Rory played well — but I think there’s more to the story than what we saw on TV,” Rose said, raising eyebrows across the golf world. “There were moments where it felt… too precise. Too controlled. I’ve played with Rory for years, and that didn’t look like the same guy under pressure.”
Though Rose stopped short of directly accusing McIlroy of wrongdoing, his cryptic remarks fed into the growing buzz around unverified claims that McIlroy may have used advanced swing-aid tech — rumors which Augusta National and the PGA Tour have both dismissed as baseless.
“I’m not saying he broke the rules,” Rose clarified. “I’m just saying, if there’s new tech floating around out there, maybe it’s time we look into what’s really being used on the course. The game is changing faster than the rules can keep up.”
Fans and fellow pros were quick to react. Some blasted Rose for what they saw as poor sportsmanship, while others praised him for speaking up. Golf analyst Brandel Chamblee called Rose’s words “irresponsible,” adding, “If you have something to say, say it clearly. But don’t play the shadow game with a guy who just made history.”
McIlroy, for his part, seemed unbothered by the noise. When asked about Rose’s comments, he smiled and said, “Justin’s entitled to his opinion. I let my clubs do the talking this week.”
Whether Rose’s remarks were born from suspicion, frustration, or simple honesty, they’ve certainly added fuel to an already fiery post-Masters news cycle. And while Rory McIlroy may be wearing the green jacket, Justin Rose has made sure all eyes — and questions — are still very much on him.
