IT'S PRIDE BEFORE A BAWL

Justin chokes back tears after his big push comes up just short

- CRAIG SWAN

JUSTIN ROSE admits he went from joy to tears after his heartbreaking Open defeat at Royal Troon.

The English star was determined to leave the final day on the Ayrshire coast with no regrets as he attempted to live his dream.

After 26 years competing at The Championship, the 43-yearold was right there as a contender to take home the prize.

Rose kept fighting and he kept scrapping. His birdie on the last playing alongside Xander Schauffele summed up his attitude and quality throughout the week.

There was a pride at his performance, thrills as that putt dropped in front of an adoring public who have grown to treat him as part of Open furniture.

Then there was the agony.

The realisation that it just wasn't enough.

Just like 2018 at Carnoustie, it was a tied-second finish and the Claret Jug stayed just out of his reach. Rose couldn't hide his contrasting feelings as the reality of his brush with silverware began to sink in.

When asked how he was after missing out, Rose said: "Two emotions. Gutted when I walked off the course and it hit me hard because I was so strong.

"I really played the way I wanted, I got off on the front foot, played my way right into the tournament early doors. I felt and did a lot of the hard things really well.

"Midway through the back nine momentum-wise, Xander got it going. I hit a couple of really good putts that didn't fall and then suddenly the lead stretched.