Rose opts for precision over power
- just like Federer
Send a link to a friend
[January 22, 2020]
By Rory Carroll
SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Justin Rose
acknowledges that he cannot compete for distance off the tee with
the power hitters of the PGA Tour but the Briton says his precision
and game management make him a match for anyone -- just like tennis
great Roger Federer.
Rose, who won Olympic gold in Rio, said trying to match the ball
speeds of some of his rivals would be bad for his health and his
swing, and pointed to Federer as an example of how success can be
achieved without overpowering an opponent.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/Jan/22/images/ads/current/farmers_bank_sda_LUAL_2015.png)
"I look at Roger Federer. There's guys that serve at 135 (miles per
hour), but he serves at 121 in the corners," Rose told reporters on
Tuesday ahead of his title defense at the Farmers Insurance Open.
"He's at the back end of his career, so it's incredibly effective,"
he said of the Swiss, who is looking for a record-extending 21st
Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
"I'm not going to be a 185 ball speed guy and if I chase that it is
going to hurt me and it's going to hurt my swing and body because
you've got to reabsorb that force.
"But I can serve it 121 in the corners is kind of where I'm at. And
for me, that's like 172, 175 ball speed.
"If I can carry the ball 300 (yards) in the air, I can compete on
any golf course against any player. So that's kind of my benchmark."
[to top of second column] |
![](../images/012220pics/sports63.jpg)
England's Justin Rose during the third round Action Images via
Reuters/Lee Smith
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Mar/14/images/ads/current/tires250x300.gif)
Rose, 39, also said he was looking forward to defending his Olympic
title at the upcoming Tokyo Games.
"It's been a wonderful three and a half years to this point," Rose
said.
"It's been definitely one of the highlights of my career and
something I'm very keen to try and defend.
"I think Tokyo's going to be a wonderful host city. Obviously
Japan's a great golfing nation and I'm sure there's going to be a
lot of excitement and from what I can tell, I think it's going to be
well attended and well supported by the players."
Rose will be paired with two other former world number ones -- Jason
Day and Jordan Spieth -- at the Farmers Insurance, which kicks off
on Thursday.
(Editing by Peter Rutherford)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/Jan/22/images/ads/current/charrons_bch041713.png) |