Robert Rock surprising himself on DP World Tour return as he impresses at The Belfry

By Mathieu Wood

As if qualifying for a Major Championship on what was essentially a whim wasn't enough, Robert Rock might just be about to create more headlines and challenge for an incredible return to the DP World Tour winner’s circle.

In his first regular appearance on Tour since stepping away from playing competitively towards the end of 2022, the Englishman is just five shots back of halfway leader and pre-tournament favourite Tyrrell Hatton at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at The Belfry.

Up until May, when he returned to the spotlight of professional golf by qualifying for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, Rock’s focus was on his coaching commitments, his junior tour, and taking his teenage son to football matches.

But after coming through the 36-hole qualifier at Walton Heath - without playing a practice round - and then experiencing the thrill of competing on one of golf’s biggest stages again stateside, a realisation dawned on him: he missed the game and wanted to play it again competitively when possible.

He sought to earn a spot at The Open Championship in July, ultimately falling short at Final Qualifying after progressing through Regional Qualifying. When the invite arrived for the British Masters, it was the opportunity he’d been hoping for.

“After playing the U.S. Open a few weeks ago, I started to think that I'd like to play a couple more events and my life was sort of changing a little bit and giving me potentially a bit more time at the end of this year,” he told the DP World Tour on Friday after a second-round three-under-par 69 left him at five under.

“So, I thought it'd be nice to try and play something, but I didn't know how I was going to get into anything. I didn’t get into The Open, so that was a disappointment.

“I asked for an invite, but I know because I haven’t been playing much it was a bit of a long shot and there were many other deserving candidates for an invite, but thankfully they said yes last Saturday.”

Still, you’ve got to take the opportunity and make the most of it, something Rock almost wasn’t able to do.

“My back wasn’t in great shape last week, so I was contemplating calling David Williams (Tournament Director) and saying, ‘mate, don’t push the boat out because I’m actually struggling'.

“But I managed to make it a little bit better, put in a little bit of practice, and I’ve played nicely."

Rock has an affiliation with The Belfry, with the renowned Ryder Cup venue playing host to the Junior British Masters – a key event on the Robert Rock Junior Golf Tour (open to junior golfers under the age of 18) – earlier this month.

But his history with this venue goes right back to the outset of his DP World Tour career, having played his very first event here in the Benson and Hedges International Open.

Since then, he has won twice on Tour, memorably beating Tiger Woods to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in 2012, and is this week making his 467th start. 

"It’s just nice to be around the Tour again," said Rock. “Especially at The Belfry. I have been coming here for nearly 30 years. I did all my PGA training here. I’ve done a lot of coaching here.

"I did my very first event here that got me on the road to playing 466 tournaments and this will be number 467, so it is nice to come and play The Belfry again.”

Rock has long been a well-respected figure by players and fans alike, and that was on show again on Friday as he was met by fans – both young and old – for photos behind the 18th green.

But, amid his own satisfaction of his play so far this week, among his immediate post-round thoughts were of his son, David, and how he had fared in an academy match for English football league side Chesterfield.

“He has just signed a two-year deal with their academy,” Rock said.

“He's going to move up there shortly actually. So, it's a big move for him because he's only 16.

"He passed his GCSE exams last week, so that was a nerve-wracking morning for me. It's a relief that he passed everything, and he worked really hard actually, so he needed that to get onwards into his football career.

"He's starting a journey in a different sport, which is lovely to watch. So, I want to be at home as much as possible to help him do that.”

But it isn’t just his son that Rock offers a helping hand to.

Having forged a successful coaching career, the 47-year-old supports DP World Tour professional Richard Mansell and Solheim Cup Major-winning star Georgia Hall. 

“I was coaching a lot,” he said. “At one tournament a few years ago, I had about 20 players that I was working with. Now it is only two Tour players.

“But I do a bit of coaching with the members at Wentworth, and I do a little bit at The Belfry, and online too which is very convenient, so it keeps me busy.”

On the evidence of what Rock has achieved in his limited time back playing competitively, he doesn’t need any tutelage.

Which leaves the question, what is next on the horizon for Rock once this week comes to an end?

“I have contemplated entering the DP World Tour Qualifying School, but the Tour school is pushing it a bit too much for me," he replied.

“Certainly in time, but also the amount of rounds you’ve got to play. I don’t know how I am going to feel at the end of the four rounds this week. It hurts (physically) at the end. My back hurts at the end of each round and I haven’t played four rounds for a while, so we’ll see.

“My game is in good enough shape, and with a bit of practice, it could be pretty tidy I think, but you have got to put the time in and that would mean hitting a lot of balls. With a dodgy back that doesn’t really add up.

“So, I’m not sure (on Tour School). I have to evaluate that.”

For now, Rock is just enjoying playing well in front of big supportive home crowds at a venue which means a lot to him. How the weekend pans out, who knows.

“I hit two of the best shots I have hit in a long, long time today (Friday),” he said.

“So, they have given me a little hope that I can still actually hit some shots and my putting is better than it actually was before (he stopped), which is typical of this game.

“But I don’t care why that is. It makes the rounds more enjoyable.”