Justin Rose jokes about switching to yellow golf balls after Shiho Kuwaki made major history

Justin Rose has joked that he's ordered a batch of yellow golf balls after watching Japan's Shiho Kuwaki make major championship history with them at the AIG Women's Open.

The Englishman raised eyebrows when he made his yellow golf ball claim on X just hours after Kuwaki's dramatic playoff victory at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

"Just ordered some yellow golf balls from @Titleist after watching the final round @AIGWomensOpen," Rose posted on X. 

The 2013 U.S. Open champion also congratulated his compatriots Charley Hull and Lottie Woad following their T6 finishes at the final major of the season. 

"Congratulations @HullCharley @LottieWoad on solid weeks," he added. 

At first glance, Rose's post appeared to suggest he was genuinely considering switching from his traditional white golf ball.

However, GolfMagic has since learned from his management team that the post was simply sarcasm.

Rose, who won his only major title at the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion, is currently on holiday with his family before returning to action at the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

While the message came from his official X account, there's no suggestion the 46-year-old is about to swap his trusted white Titleist Pro V1x for a yellow version.

Rose's sarcasm came after Kuwaki became the first player in history to win a major championship using a yellow golf ball.

The 23-year-old Japanese star, affectionately nicknamed The Yellow Baller by her LPGA peers, plays a yellow Bridgestone Tour B X, opting for the colour because it helps her see the ball more clearly during competition.

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Yellow golf balls have long been popular among many players on the PGA Tour Champions, largely because of the improved visibility they offer, but Kuwaki's historic victory could encourage more golfers — both amateur and professional — to consider making the switch.

Bridgestone's Tour B X is also played by the likes of 15-time major champion Tiger Woods and in-form PGA Tour pro Chris Gotterup, albeit in a standard white version. 

Rose, meanwhile, continues to use a white Titleist Pro V1x. 

Although he is not officially contracted to Titleist for his golf ball, he is listed among the company's ball users. 

Earlier this season, Rose signed a new equipment deal with McLaren Golf for his irons, while the rest of his bag features clubs from a variety of manufacturers.

Rose is currently ranked 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking and sits 23rd in the FedEx Cup standings ahead of next week's Playoffs as he looks to win the season-long race for a second time after his 2018 triumph at East Lake. 

While the Englishman has not quite hit the heights of his brilliant early-season form in recent months, he did claim the 13th PGA Tour title of his career with a second Farmers Insurance Open title in early February. 

Rose will now hope to rediscover that winning touch as the FedEx Cup Playoffs get underway at the FedEx St Jude Championship from 13-16 August. 

The 46-year-old revealed on Monday he will resume practice on Tuesday after taking two weeks away from the sport following a missed cut at The Open.

Kuwaki, meanwhile, secured the biggest victory of her career after defeating Germany's Esther Henseleit in a dramatic two-hole playoff at the landmark 50th staging of the AIG Women's Open on Sunday. 

Starting the final round three shots behind, Kuwaki closed with a 1-under 70 to reach 5-under par overall, before Henseleit forced extra holes with a stunning 45-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole.

Kuwaki then produced an outstanding par save on the first playoff hole after finding trouble off the tee, while Henseleit narrowly missed a birdie attempt from 12 feet that would have won the championship.

On the second trip back down the 18th, Henseleit's drive unfortunately struck a course marshal before bouncing into a gorse bush. 

With the German unable to save par, Kuwaki held her composure to two-putt for par to seal her first major title.

The win also marked her first ever on the LPGA, despite five previous victories on the LPGA of Japan Tour. 

"I just can't believe I won," said Kuwaki at the back of the 18th green. 

"I'm full of happiness and appreciation for everything that's coming my way."

Kuwaki banked a record AIG Women's Open winner's cheque of $1.5 million.

Her triumph will also be remembered for another reason: becoming the first player ever in the sport to win a major championship while using a yellow golf ball.

Whether Rose's playful post inspires more golfers to follow Kuwaki's lead remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — despite his joke, don't expect to see the former World No.1 teeing up a yellow golf ball anytime soon.