Justin Rose has put the old gold-medal double-act back together just in time for the Ryder Cup.
A fortnight before the biennial dust-up, the Englishman has linked up again with Mark Fulcher, the caddie with whom he not only won at the Olympics, but also rose to world No 1, lifted the US Open title and famous prevailed in the critical singles match against Phil Mickelson at the 2012 “Miracle of Medinah” Ryder Cup.
The duo split four years ago in the wake of Fulcher – who also won majors with Dame Laura Davies and Alison Nicholas – undergoing emergency heart surgery. Rose has employed a number of bagmen since, while Fulcher, who, it was, feared might never caddie again, worked for the likes of 2018 Open champion Francesco Molinari and, most recently, American Billy Horschel.
However, the former Bedfordshire boys champion was destined always to be known as Rose’s right-hand man after 11 years of success together. One of Fulcher’s last events with Rose was the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris, when the former world No 1 starred in the European victory.
Indeed, Rose, who has played in five matches, has had Fulcher at his side in each of those Ryder Cups and the timing of the re-appointment is no coincidence. A popular figure in the team room – despite once being labelled on social media “an absolute numpty” by Gary Lineker after a dispute over politics – and a friend of the Europe captain, Luke Donald, his presence will be widely welcomed at Marco Simone Country Club.
After agreeing to return a few weeks ago, Fulcher’s first task was to accompany Rose on Europe’s reconnaissance mission to Rome on Monday. After nine of the Team USA – Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay were absent due to personal commitments – travelled with captain Zach Johnson on their own scouting trip on the weekend, the entirety of the home side took their chance to acclimatise with the layout..
If the output of the PGA of America social media department was any gauge, they found the rough overly thick and gnarly, but Shane Lowry shrugged off the supposed penal nature of the set-up.
“I only lost one ball in the rough so I was pretty happy with myself,” he said, with a laugh. “Our group [Robert MacIntyre, Sepp Straka and Rose] was actually pretty good, we didn’t lose that many, but one group had a bad day losing a few.
“It’s pretty brutal in spots but is no different to what you might see at the US Open or something like that. If you go a decent bit off the fairways that’s going to get very interesting.. But if you hit a good drive down the fairway and hit a good second shot you’re on the green, that’s what golf’s about. That’s how I see it.
“If you look at the way its is set up, Scottie Scheffler is No 1 tee-to-green in the world. So it should suit him. They have got some of the best players in the world.”
All 12 of the Europe team are playing in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. The DP World Tour’s flagship event begins on Thursday, with Lowry the defending champion.
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