Justin Rose takes sudden step to get over Rory McIlroy heartbreak after being 'tormented'

Only a few days ago, Justin Rose was defeated in heartbreaking fashion by at the . The Englishman had to wait after his final 18 holes were completed to discover that a playoff was required, before going down to the new champion after McIlroy birdied the 18th in their sudden-death match.

The 2013 winner admitted that he was feeling "tormented" in the immediate aftermath of Augusta. It was the third time he had finished second or joint-second in Georgia, having done so in 2015 and 2017 also. "Don't know what the right word is, tormented probably by the thought of what might have been," Rose said at a Wednesday press conference. "I take that loss pretty badly. But listen, I was a stone's throw away from winning the Open, winning the Masters.

"I would have been going for a grand slam at the PGA. It's like, it can be that close. I've got to believe that. The last two majors I've been right there and been beaten by the top players in the world at the peak of their game."

Rose has already made the decision to get back out on the course in an attempt to get over his disappointment on Sunday. He is in action at the RBC Heritage this week, getting his campaign at the Harbour Town Golf Links underway at 6.50pm on Thursday.

The total purse in South Carolina, USA, is £15.13million, with the winner scooping an almighty £2.7m. That wouldn't be a bad way to bounce back from finishing as runner-up at the Masters.

McIlroy will not be competing after completing a career Grand Slam. He typically does not attend the event, but made an appearance last year as took the top prize.

But for Rose, getting back to the course is an opportunity to put the pain of his Masters near-miss behind him.

"Mixed emotions for sure," he said after reflecting on the past week. "A lot of outpouring from people with a lot of positive comments coming at me so trying to absorb that and absorb the week, but the same time looking at my phone and wishing there was a different message there.

"Having been in that situation before and even more this time, I could really sense what it would be like to win it. I was right there on the edge of winning it obviously. I certainly don't feel down in any way, shape or form because of the performance I was able to put in and how I was able to feel putting in that performance."

When asked why he wanted to put himself back on the grass and what keeps him going at the age of 43, Rose replied: "Just the belief that I still can have these special moments in the game is what I am calling them.

"I think the little things like holing the putt on Friday, the with all the team around me, that's a moment I will remember forever. It's a special moment.

"Even the Open Championship was special, walking down 18 being right in it, holding the putt (at) Augusta on 18 on Sunday and seeing the crowd stand up - those are special moments.

"I want it to be accompanied with the requisite trophy as well, don't get me wrong, but the reason I am playing is to sort of feel those moments that really matter in your career and in your life.

"The reason I am working hard enough to do it is (because) I still have that belief that is possible, that's why these weeks are important for me still. It's just reaffirming that it is still possible."