Ryder Cup 2016: Justin Rose faces an emotional return at Hazeltine determined to honour his late father in the Ryder Cup
The Englishman fresh off his Olympic triumph returns to the course where his father saw him play for the last time
JUSTIN ROSE says playing at Hazeltine will be “hugely emotional” for him, as it was the last course his father saw him play before he died of cancer.
But the Olympic gold medallist says he will turn that into a positive, as he always does when he thinks about dad Ken.
The rush of emotion caused by the death of Arnold Palmer has brought Rose’s feelings into even tighter focus.
But he feels ready to repeat the heroics of Gleneagles, when he was unbeaten in five matches and finished as Europe’s top points scorer.
Rose explained: “Of course I’ll be thinking a lot about my dad because the 2002 USPGA Championship at Hazeltine was the last tournament he saw me play in.
“He was my first coach as well, and I can vividly remember us preparing for that tournament on the range at Hazeltine, even though he was pretty ill by then.
“I did OK, finishing just outside the top twenty, and I can remember how proud he was. He passed away a few weeks later, so of course it will feel be hugely emotional to be back there.
"But anyone who knows me will be aware that thinking about my dad, and how much he wanted me to do well as a golfer, helps to inspire me.
“My US Open win at Merion three years ago was the classic example. When I holed the winning putt I couldn’t help looking up to the heavens and thinking my old man had something to do with it.
“That was on Father’s Day, so for most of the final round I was just trying to remember my dad, and those great memories we shared definitely helped me handle the pressure.
“I made a similar gesture when I won the gold medal in Rio .That’s what I mean by using those thoughts as a positive.
“And it will be easier this time because I have actually been back to Hazeltine since my dad died, for the 2009 USPGA.
“I missed the cut that year - I’m hoping to play a lot better this time!”
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Rose looks a banker to play all five matches again this year, and will probably renew his successful partnership with Henrik Stenson in Friday morning’s opening foursomes.
The men who finished first and second in Rio led Europe off on both mornings at Gleneagles - and won all three of their matches together, before Stenson was rested, allowing Rose to team up with Martin Kaymer.
They enjoyed a ding-dong battle with America’s top pairing, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, before finishing with a half.
But with Stenson again unlikely to play all four matches after struggling with a knee injury in the build-up to Hazeltine, Rose is more likely to find himself paired with one of Europe’s six rookies for at least one outing.
The English ace also had his injury woes earlier this year, with a back injury forcing him to take six weeks off before the US Open.
But he feels that may have proved to be a blessing in disguise, and he has assured European captain Darren Clarke he is raring to go.
Rose explained: “It has been a long year for most of the guys with the Olympics added to the schedule, so although it was frustrating at the time that mid-season ‘break’ might have done me a bit of good.
“I certainly felt fresh heading to Rio, and look what happened there! The Olympics was a big target for me, especially with my wife Kate being an international gymnast when she was younger.
“There was a lot of talk about the Games in our household all year, so winning there was a massive thrill.
“I’ve only played three times since then and I still feel like there’s plenty in the tank. So I’ll play as many times as Darren wants me to.”
