Former US Open champion and six-time Ryder Cup player Justin Rose, and Dame Laura Davies, one of the greatest women golfers of all time, have been presented with a PGA Recognition Award in honour of their outstanding contribution to golf.
Rose, fresh from playing a pivotal role in Europe’s recent victory at the Ryder Cup in Rome, received his award from PGA Captain Tim Rouse at the annual PGA Lunch, held in London on 15th December.
Rose enjoyed a hugely successful amateur career which saw him represent his club, county and England at every age group, while also representing GB&I in the 1997 Walker Cup.
The highlight of his amateur career came in 1998 with his headline-grabbing 4th-placed finish at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, which thrust the then 17-year-old youngster into the world’s spotlight. He turned professional shortly after secured his first tour victory at the Dunhill Championship in 2002, a year that also saw three other tournament wins around the world, including the British Masters.
The wins have flowed ever since, with his CV now boasting 25 tour victories over the last 25 years. His breakthrough Major success came at the 2013 US Open at Merion, where he become the first Englishman to win the title since Tony Jacklin triumphed at Hazeltine in 1970.
Rose, who was awarded an MBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to golf, has continued with success since then, earning a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and reaching number one in the world for the first time in 2018, the same year that he won the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup.
As a team player, Rose has played in six Ryder Cup matches, being on the winning side four times, and capturing 15.5 points. He partnered Bob MacIntyre in Rome, winning 1.5 points from their two fourball matches to help Europe to a convincing 16.5 - 11.5 victory over the US.
Commenting on receiving the PGA Recognition Award, Rose said: “It’s a huge honour to be recognised by The PGA for my achievements in the game of golf and I really appreciate their support. Hopefully I can add a few more to that list in the years to come.
He added: “I think there needs to be a special mention to all the PGA Professionals who are helping to develop and build the game of golf all over the world, they are the real heroes!”
Dame Laura Davies, one of the greatest women golfers of all time, was also presented with a PGA Recognition Award at the Association's annual lunch in Scotland on 13th December.
A winner of 87 professional tournaments around the world between 1985-2018, including four Major championships, 20 LPGA Tour titles and 45 Ladies European Tour events, Dame Laura, 60, has been a figurehead of women’s professional golf for over three decades.
Between 1985-2010, she won at least one individual title somewhere in the world every season, except for 2005, and was the first golfer, male or female, to win tournaments on five continents in one year. A seven-time winner of the Ladies European Tour order of merit, she is life member of the Ladies European Tour and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2015.
Dame Laura has also enjoyed some of her finest moments as a team player. A member of the European team at the inaugural Solheim Cup in 1990, she went on to fly the flag for Europe 12 times in total, being on the winning side four times and amassing the most points – 25 – when competing in her last match in 2011.
Davies was awarded an MBE in the 1988, and CBE in 2000, and was made a Dame in the 2014 Birthday Honours – all for her services to women's golf.
“I’m very honoured to receive this award from The PGA,” said Davies. “It’s always extra special to be recognised by one’s own peers in the industry. I dedicate the award to all the hard-working PGA Pro’s who are committed to growing our great game.”
Commenting on the dual award, Robert Maxfield, chief executive of The PGA, said: “The PGA Recognition Award is our way of acknowledging great achievements in the game and I’m delighted on behalf of the PGA’s Membership to bestow this accolade on Justin and Dame Laura – they are both deserving winners and are a credit to the sport.
