Justin Rose Can Win Jack

2010 Memorial Tournament Recap
Winner: Justin Rose
Score: 18 under, 270 (65, 69, 70, 66)
Quote: “Until you win over here, you don’t feel like you’ve really achieved all you want to in the game.”
Fact: Played with plastic club at 11 months old. Now plays TaylorMade.
Thought: Brits are on a serious roll.

SCRATCH JUSTIN ROSE OFF the list of Brits who haven’t won on the PGA Tour. Who’s next? I would say Lee Westwood, but I keep saying Lee will win in America (he won at New Orleans early in his career, as a commenter reminded me), or win a major, and it hasn’t happened. Close at the Masters and the Players, but no victory cigar. But the Brits (and South Africans, as my friend Mike says) are definitely trending on the PGA Tour. First, Ian Poulter, then Rory McIlroy, and now Justin Rose.

Rose just went out to Muirfield Village on Sunday and took it away from Rickie Fowler. Sure, Fowler helped him a lot by dunking one at the par-3 12th, but Justin charged home with birdies at 14 and 16 to post a 66 and have his “Jack” moment beside the 18th green. Even his 1-year-old boy broke out in applause.

Apparently, Mr. Nicklaus, as Rickie Fowler addressed the legend, is fond of the 29-year-old Englishman. “I just always liked his golf game,” Jack said in a joint press conference with Rose.

About Phil Mickelson’s 3-metal or whatever it was off the asphalt at the 15th, I was not surprised. Entertained, yes. Surprised, no. There is no shot that Phil won’t try. We know that. Besides, I’ll bet half of you have hit one off the pavement or cart path somewhere down the line. I have. You don’t want to catch it fat. Phil caught it perfect, but still made a double. And he would do it all over again.

Tiger Woods made the cut and finished in a tie for 19th. When you consider everything, that’s not bad. I have no idea what to expect from Tiger at Pebble in the U.S. Open. Not a win. But stranger things have happened, haven’t they?

Tour Notes

• European Tour: Graeme McDowell won the Wales Open.
• PGA Tour: Brian Gay defends this week at the St. Jude Classic in Memphis.
• LPGA Tour: The ladies tee it up at the LPGA State Farm Classic in Springfield, Illinois.

−The Armchair Golfer