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Following his pivotal role in the European Team’s winat Gleneagles this weekend, the former US Open champion Justin Rosecontinued to soar high by demonstrating his shot making skill from the wing of a British Airways Boeing 747.
Celebrating the partnership between British Airways and the 34-year-old Englishman,the airline helped to raise funds and awareness for the Kateand Justin Rose Foundation, which was set up by the golfing star and hiswife to inspire children through nutrition, education, and experiences.
Rose was joined by former England football captain and BBC Match of the Daypresenter GaryLineker, Ex-Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp, formerEngland and Arsenal striker Ian Wright and fashion icon, Jodie Kidd at theairline’s engineering hangar in London. Standing on the wing of a British Airways 747, which has a wingspan of 64mand average height of 6.1m above the ground, Rose hit a succession of ballsat a target 180 yards away to secure flights for the charity.Gary Lineker, Jamie Redknapp, Ian Wright and Jodie Kidd, who are all keengolfers,took turns practicing their swing before trying to emulate Rose’s successaiming at the 160 yard target.
Representing Europe in his third Ryder Cup but his first on home soil,Justin’s emotions were still running high after the team’s secondsuccessive victory in the biennial tournament. “The team played outstandingthis weekend and it’s a fantastic feeling to come out of the Ryder Cup asthe winning team again, to carry that adrenaline with me on to the wing ofthe British Airways 747 before flying the aircraft back across the Atlanticwas a special thrill,” said Rose. “I have thoroughly enjoyed the challengeand I am grateful to British Airways for donating flights towards the Kateand Justin Rose Foundation – it will make a huge difference to ourcampaign.”
Frank van der Post, British Airways managing director of brands andcustomer experience, said: “We are delighted to work with Justin once againas he is one of British sports’ most iconic characters. We were pleased toalso provide flights to the Justin and Kate Rose Foundation and support thegreat work they do.”
Rose, who became the first English player in 17 years to win a major whenhe lifted the US Open title last year, will head to Dubai in November tocompete in the European Tour’s finale of the Race to Dubai, the DP WorldTour Championship, held at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in the United ArabEmirates.
