LONDON -- Ken Rose, the father of top British professional Justin Rose, died Monday night after a long battle with cancer, the
player's management company announced Tuesday.
Ken Rose, who was his son's first golf coach as well as his mentor, was 57.
"Our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time," read a statement from Justin Rose's management company.
The 22-year-old Rose, who has won four titles worldwide this season, decided to withdraw from this week's European Tour event -- the
German Masters in Cologne -- to spend time with his ailing father over the weekend.
Justin Rose, who took the golfing world by storm as an amateur in 1998 when he chipped in at the last hole to tie for fourth in the British Open
at Royal Birkdale, turned professional the very next day at the age of 17.
He missed 21 consecutive cuts as a pro but has gone on to win twice on this season's European Tour, as well as once in South Africa and
once in Japan.