Justin Rose delivers message to former Ryder Cup teammates: "LIV didn't offer me that at all"

Justin Rose has reiterated why he chose to ignore the riches of LIV Golf.

Rose was targeted by the PIF-backed breakaway before its noisy introduction into the men's game in 2022. 

The Englishman, now 45, ultimately decided to stay put while his former European Ryder Cup teammates Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell made the leap. 

It was a decision that ultimately paid dividends for Rose, given he was instrumental in Europe's victory over Team USA in Italy two years ago. 

He has already qualified for Luke Donald's dozen that will attempt to become the first team to win the matches in hostile territory for the first time since 2012. 

And he's also come perilously close to winning two major championship titles. He picked up his 12th PGA Tour title last week in Memphis with a thrilling play-off victory over J.J. Spaun. 

Rose has been unable to add to his sole major win since clinching the 2013 US Open at Merion. 

"I had the opportunity and a lot of my friends have gone over there," Rose told the No Laying Up podcast. 

"I harbour no ill feeling for guys who have made that decision at certain times in their career.

"I just felt like I had more to give myself. I felt like I needed to believe in the 12-year-old me that wanted to win major championships and chase my dreams. LIV didn't offer me that at all."

Rose came closest to winning more major championship silverware at the 2025 Masters. It was the second time he was on the receiving end of a play-off defeat at famed Augusta National. 

A crest-fallen Rose was defeated on the first playoff hole by Rory McIlroy.

He also finished runner-up to Xander Schauffele at the 151st Open at Royal Troon, rolling back the years with a glorious performance that was only made possible by emerging through a gruelling 36-hole qualifier. 

Rose appears to believe those near-misses would not have been possible had he joined LIV. 

"It didn't offer me the opportunity to play in majors," he added. 

"I'm still not really guaranteed to be in majors for ever more – you have got to earn your way in this game. 

"That's what I like about it. There is nothing given out here, you have got to earn everything, and I felt like I needed that challenge and that environment to keep pushing me.

"I didn't really have any business believing I could win a major again but I truly do believe I can have that Indian summer to my career.

"To me, that is way more valuable than, let's just say, putting a financial reward to it. 

"It's my golfing dreams, it's the 12-year-old me. It's like having a rhetorical conversation with the 12-year-old me and trying to justify why I would make that move – he wouldn't have been too happy with it.

"With where I am trending, I am pretty happy with where I'm at and I think the dream is still alive."

Rose on future Ryder Cup captaincy

It is understood Rose is being lined up to replace Luke Donald as Europe's captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland. 

Rose has made no secret of his desire to lead the blue and gold, but at this rate there is a possibility that he could feature as a player. 

"I don't think there's ever a perfect time to be Ryder Cup captain," he said. "It's a big commitment. That's what I've learned over the last few years of watching Luke go about it. It's an undertaking that is really, really important."

He added: "There's never a perfect time to do it, but the opportunity for me personally, it's a huge honour, and I'd love to take it on."

US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley told reporters he's still undecided over whether he will tee it up next month at Bethpage Black. 

He is undeniably one of the 12 best players in the U.S. right now, but is currently in a difficult position given he is 10th in the standings. 

If he were in the top six then he would qualify and his inclusion wouldn't be up for debate. 

Had Bradley been lower down in the pecking order at this stage, then picking himself would be a terrible look. 

What should he do in this current predicament?

Rose said: "He's obviously a charismatic and fiery competitor, and obviously, I think with that will become a great captain. He's almost played too well for his own liking in a sense.

"The team may well require him. The best way to win the Ryder Cup is to win points, so if he feels like he's an absolute strategic, brilliant mind, then maybe he's focused one way. 

"Or if he thinks, damn, I'm playing well, I need to win points, I'm going to do it that way. So he's going to figure out the best way to do it for him. That's his job as captain now."