Justin Rose has admitted that being awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List has capped off a year that he will remember for the rest of his life.
Rose emerged victorious as golf officially featured at the Olympic Games for the first time since 1904, where besides winning a gold medal for Team GB, he also became the first player to make a hole-in-one in Olympic history.
Rose says that the landmark victory has re-energised him, and he is keen to challenge again at key tournaments, and build on his one and only major success to date, which he achieved at the US Open in 2013.
“It’s something you are maybe hoping for after the Olympics, but definitely not expecting,” Rose said of his MBE. “It has really capped off the whole Olympic experience for me. Whenever you have your work recognised, whatever field you are in, it’s just a great feeling.”
Rose struggled with injury earlier in the year, with a back problem in particular causing him distress. But the 36 year old, who is currently 15th in the world rankings, says his focus was always on making the Rio Olympics and having achieved success in 2016, he is keen to keep the momentum going into the New Year.
“I had a few little injuries to deal with, so I really set my eyes on Rio, trying to make sure I was 100 per cent, and I really put all my energy into peaking for the Olympic Games,” he added. “For me, the year really revolved around being fit for the Olympics and it was the one tournament I won during the year and made 2016 a year I will always remember.
“But I’m now looking forward to 2017, rather than looking back to what I’ve done. I have a great team around me and I’m in a solid spot to build on. I want to get back to winning positions in titles and major championships. It was 2013 the last time I was able to win a major championship and I feel ready to get back in the winner’s circle.”