Rose rules out 2023 Ryder Cup Captaincy: “I’m still young”

Bernie McGuire
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Justin Rose (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

Bernie McGuire

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By Bernie McGuire in the Bahamas.

Europe’s quest to source a 2023 Ryder Cup captain would seem no easier with Justin Rose declaring ‘I’m still too young’ to be considered for the Rome captaincy.

Lee Westwood’s decision not to seek the European captaincy has thrown the process of finding a replacement for Padraig Harrington into somewhat disarray with the likes of Swede Robert Karlsson, former World No. 1 Luke Donald plus Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Rose’s name being mentioned as a possible captain.

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However, Rose, who will be aged 43 at the time of the 2023 Ryder Cup, indicated after being overlooked for this year’s encounter at Whistling Straits, that he’s determined to earn a sixth and seventh team cap before becoming a captain.

“I don’t expect to be asked,” said Rose. “I am hopefully still too young to be a captain. Hopefully I can still play and hopefully I have more to offer the team in other ways.

“Some of those mentioned for the captaincy are four or five years older than me, so I just don’t feel like it’s quite my time, as yet.

“My Ryder Cup priority is to earn a few more team caps and I think it’s the same with Poults and Henrik who think that can still play, so it’s going to be tough for those picking a new captain given Lee has indicated he doesn’t want the captaincy.

“Poults brings energy. Henrik will bring diligence and his mindset.”

Rose is among 20 players teeing-up this week in the elite event on the Albany course in the Bahamas, and while moving his family back to Britain to live, the Rose’s still own a house within the small community.

He said: “While it’s nice being back in the UK, this is nice being back as It was the family home for many years.

“Though in some ways it’s trickier playing the tournament in the sense that given the crowds are small, I know literally everyone in the crowd.

“It’s just a bit of a weird vibe when I’m always saying ‘Hey Dave’, ‘Hi Tom’, ‘How you getting on Bill?’ and so on. I found that tricky the first couple of years but it’s got better every other year I’ve been here.

“Saying that, it’s a great field they’ve assembled this year and a nice, relaxing event to finish up the year.”

Ten members of the winning USA Ryder Cup as to four of the losing European team will tee-up in the $2.6m event.

Meantime ..

Tiger Woods’ 155-foot luxury boat ‘Privacy’ has been spotted in the nearby Albany marina, with the tournament host set to speak with the media at 9am ET today [Tuesday].

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