Rose: “I’ve learned to get all of my enjoyment from my relationship with the golf course and the shots I hit and not the slaps on the back that I get.”

The U.S. Open defending champion has been flying under the radar even as his form has been pretty acceptable coming off an injury layoff.

Karen Crouse profiles Justin Rose for the NY Times and there was a lot to learn about him, though I thought this line was especially impressive:

“I’ve learned to get all of my enjoyment from my relationship with the golf course and the shots I hit,” Rose said, “and not the slaps on the back that I get.”

That approach has allowed Rose to savor his Open title as if it were a dessert to be shared with relatives and friends and not the main course. In a richly symbolic gesture, the trophy was christened by Rose’s 5-year-old son, Leo, who ate scoops of vanilla and mint chocolate chip ice cream from it.

With a mischievous grin, Rose added, “It holds five bottles of Champagne, just F.Y.I.”

Brian Wacker notes that Rose's preparation for Pinehurst has taken on an element that few players seem to embrace at older venues: dragging a local caddie around and grilling him for all the information you can get.

In this case, the man is 81-year-old Willie Lee McRae.

On a recent scouting trip to the No. 2 course, defending champion Justin Rose invited McRae along, hoping to tap into his 70 years spent as a local caddie at Donald Ross’ masterpiece.
“He was part of the Pinehurst experience for me,” Rose said. “Everybody around here reveres him, loves him, so I thought it was just a special opportunity for me to be out there with Willie.”

A year ago, Rose employed the same tactic with a local looper at Merion. He ended up winning his first career major championship. Now, Rose is seeking to become the first player since Curtis Strange 25 years ago to go back-to-back at the U.S. Open.