Who is Robert Rock? Know all about the retired pro golfer that is making his comeback at the 2024 US Open

Robert Rock is one of nine players who qualified for the 2024 US Open at the qualifier held at Walton Heath, England. The other players who qualified were Tom McKibbin, Matteo Manassero, Edoardo Molinari, Richard Mansell, Brandon Robinson Thompson, Grant Forest, Sam Bairstow, and Jason Scrivener.

Born in Staffordshire, England, Robert Rock is known for being one of the few professional players who plays without a cap or visor. Rock began his professional career in 1998 but in a very atypical way.

Robert Rock first became a swing coach and went on to become one of the top pros in the Midland PGA Professional (as the English PGA is known). It was then that he decided to pursue a career in high-level professional golf, and he succeeded.

Between 1999 and 2002, Robert Rock kept playing tournaments in the Midland PGA Professional and some of the European second-tier Challenge Tour. In 2003 he decided to opt for an Affiliate Membership of the European Tour (now the DP World Tour) and this was granted.

Robert Rock made good use of his opportunity and made six cuts in 12 tournaments, with two top 10s, to finish 116th on the 2003 points list. This earned him his European Tour card for the following season, making him a full member of the circuit.

His career in professional golf did not take him away from his work as a coach. Robert Rock continues to coach players today, including Matt Wallace, Alejandro Cañizares, Thomas Bjørn, Kelsey Macdonald, and Charlotte Thompson. He also currently runs a Golf Academy.

A closer look at Robert Rock's career in professional golf

Rock had a lengthy career in European professional golf. Between 2003 and 2022 he played a total of 465 tournaments, with 277 cuts passed. Among his best results are his two victories, as well as his four second places, three third places, and 38 other Top 10s.

His crowning moments in professional golf came when he won the 2011 BMW Italian Open and the 2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. In the latter event, he defeated Rory McIlroy by one stroke.

Another memorable moment in his career was the 2009 season. That year he reached a career-best 29th place in the Race to Dubai (season point list), thanks to three second places in 26 tournaments played (15 cuts bettered).

As for the majors, Rock has played 10 editions, most of them in The Open Championship (7). His best result and only Top 10 came precisely in the 2010 British Open (T7). His most recent participation dates back to 2016.

Rock has only two previous experiences in the US Open, the 2011 edition, where he finished T23, and the 2012 edition, where he was cut.