Justin Rose doubles down on LIV Golf claim

Justin Rose says his most recent victory on the PGA Tour validated his decision to reject the advances of LIV Golf in 2022.

Ben Smith

02 Feb 2026

Justin Rose says his recent victory on the PGA Tour validated his decision to reject LIV Golf's advances.

Unsurprisingly, Rose was targeted by the PIF-backed league during its inaugural campaign in 2022.

Several of Rose's former Ryder Cup teammates jumped at the opportunity to join the breakaway tour.

But Rose decided against doing so as he didn't want to jeopardise future Ryder Cup appearances as a player or captain.

Rose, 45, also felt like staying on the established tours would provide the best chance of adding a second major championship to his resume.

The Englishman won the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion and has had a number of close calls since.

He has endured two play-off defeats at The Masters and also shared second place at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Rose will enter the 2026 major season among the favourites to clinch one of the big four after capturing his 13th PGA Tour title at the Farmers Insurance Open.

He told reporters on Sunday that his career goals have always "only been attainable by staying on the European Tour and the PGA Tour".

Rose said his childhood self wouldn't feel very good about giving up his dreams.

"I want to play in amongst the best players in the world," he said.

"That obviously for me is kind of what keeps me motivated, what keeps me hungry, what keeps me pushing.

"So yeah, it would have been easy to potentially do other things, but none of that excited me I don't think really.

Justin Rose is targeting another major win

"And none of it gave me access to what I wanted to achieve.

"So I kind of always felt like my childhood self wouldn't feel very good about making that decision and kind of giving up on those dreams.

"I feel like, yeah, I've been close. I would say, you know, sniffing and knocking on the door of a couple majors since those decisions were made and those moments.

"Yeah, it did validate the decision. The way things are in the world of golf right now, yeah, I feel like it's good to see people wanting to kind of play where it motivates them to be their best."