Justin Rose has another chance at Masters immortality on Sunday

Justin Rose has another chance at Masters immortality on Sunday

AUGUSTA, Ga. — When Justin Rose arrives at Augusta National, he's able to take a deep breath.

He sees plenty of familiar faces in the clubhouse and locker room. There are members he has come to know on a first-name basis. The undulating fairways and slopes of the greens are ones he has traversed time and time again, yet every time he has had a chance to slide on a Green Jacket, someone has come and nabbed it from his grasp.

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Come Sunday at the 2026 Masters, Rose again has his chance at immortality at Augusta National. The course remembers its champions like no others. For those in Rose's shoes, how close they've come to sliding on most treasured garment in sports fades away like the water running through Rae's Creek.

"I'm comfortable here but never complacent," Rose said Saturday, fresh off a 3-under 69 that has him three shots behind Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young heading into the final round. "I feel like there's always something to learn, something to push for. You've always got to respect the golf course."

Yet the golf course hasn't always respected Rose back.

In 2015, he played in the final pairing with Jordan Spieth, who captured his first major title after a historic scoring performance. Just two years later, Rose watched as Sergio Garcia made birdie on the 18th hole in a playoff to win his first major title. Then there was last year, when the Englishman went on a back-nine tear, shooting 6-under 66 to get into a playoff with McIlroy, which resulted in a Grand Slam achievement for the latter.

Three chances at immortality. Three times leaving Augusta National with a broken heart and wondering what could've been.

"It would mean a lot (to win the Masters)," Rose said. "Obviously I feel like I come at it from a point where I've achieved a lot in the game. I feel like, you know, I can call myself a major champion, which is nice, but my ultimate goal is to win all four. If I look at where I finished in second in all the other ones, it's not unrealistic to think it's doable." Obviously I'm leaving it late, but that would be the ultimate goal for sure."

And doable it is. Rose is four shots closer to McIlroy this year than he was a year before. However, the golf course likely will present a more daunting task.

Gary Woodland of the United States chips onto the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

A detailed view of a patron's hat with Masters pins during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

A general view of the leader board on the sixth hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

A general view of the 16th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

A detailed view of patron's chairs lined up on the 16th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

A general view of the 16th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

A general view of the 16th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

A patron looks on while wearing a hat with the Masters logo on the 16th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

A general view of the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

A general view of chairs lined up for Patrons along the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

Keegan Bradley of the United States lines up a putt on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

Viktor Hovland of Norway and his caddie Shay Knight walk the second fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

Keegan Bradley of the United States plays a shot on the second hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

Gary Woodland of the United States chips onto the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

Gary Woodland of the United States chips onto the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

A detailed view of a patron's hat with Masters pins during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

A general view of the leader board on the sixth hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

A general view of the 16th green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

A detailed view of patron's chairs lined up on the 16th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

A general view of the 16th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

A general view of the 16th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

A patron looks on while wearing a hat with the Masters logo on the 16th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

A general view of the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

A general view of chairs lined up for Patrons along the 13th hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

Keegan Bradley of the United States lines up a putt on the second green during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

Viktor Hovland of Norway and his caddie Shay Knight walk the second fairway during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

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Best photos from the third round of the 2026 Masters at Augusta National

Keegan Bradley of the United States plays a shot on the second hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2026 in Augusta, Georgia.

There has been no rain in Augusta since last Sunday when a light shower passed through, meaning the golf course has basked in the sun. While winds will be down in the final round, the golf course has been baking for six days, with Sunday like to prove the most firm and fast challenge yet. Scoring opportunities will be there, but players chasing like Rose, Jason Day and Sam Burns, among others, will have to be selective with their chances.

"There will be one spot to land the ball in pretty much for every pin," Rose said. "That's going to be the right shot to hit. It's going to give you a chance to make birdie, but it's also going to be playing the percentages, playing the odds. Sometimes have you to trust the putter from 10, 15 feet as well. You're not going to hit every shot tight. There's a way to play. There will be a way to play every hole and every shot, and if you play it right, you'll get your chances."

After Saturday at last year's Masters, Rose revealed he felt crushed after shooting 75 to fall essentially out of contention. This time feels different. He knows a tall task awaits.

McIlroy, as defending champion and the world's most popular player not named Tiger Woods, will be a heavy fan favorites, but Rose will have his backing, too. The patrons have come to adore him at Augusta National, even through all the heartbreak.

Rose admires them, too. He celebrates every good shot with acknowledgment. He feeds off the roars. His record here, while stellar, is still lacking a finish to go his way. He knows nothing will be given come Sunday.

"You enjoy the experience here Monday to Wednesday, and then I don't think you enjoy another golf shot for the rest of the week, because everything is kind of ... there's high risk and high reward on every shot you hit here," Rose said.

And on Sunday, the reward is everything for Justin Rose.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Masters 2026: Justin Rose again in contention at Augusta National