Rose at 43 is still making good fist of things

BUT HIS BEST CHANCE OF GLORY MAY NOW BE OVER

- Andy Dunn

IT WAS a fist pump that got its first Open airing 26 years ago at Royal Birkdale.

This time, it was in celebration of a birdie putt on the Postage Stamp, one of the most famous holes on the Championship roster.

The putt briefly had Justin Rose in pole position for victory in golf's blue-riband event. With 10 holes left, the Englishman, 43, was tied for the lead with a nervylooking Billy Horschel, with playing partner and eventual winner Xander Schauffele one behind.

He had missed a couple of decent opportunities but there was a buzz about his progress, a feeling that fate was dealing him a winning hand.

Sure, Rose has long been an established big-name player, a Major winner and a Ryder Cup stalwart.

But that Major, the US Open, came in 2013, and Rose's world ranking in a five-year period when he has won only one tournament - has slipped to 67th.