How Justin Rose is championing Arnold Palmer's legacy through community and passion

Justin Rose’s journey in golf began long before his career on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. Introduced to the sport by his father, he quickly developed a passion for the game. His natural hand-eye coordination and love for competition set him on a path to success.

Since his start as an amateur at 17 and through his rise in the ranks over 25 years, this passion and perseverance have earned Rose 20-plus global victories, including the 2013 U.S. Open, three Ryder Cup victories with Team Europe (six team appearances), the 2018 FedEx Cup Championship, a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, and reaching number one in the world.

He was inspired to keep growing as a professional golfer by the legendary Arnold Palmer. When he lived in Orlando, Rose spent meaningful moments at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, owned by the Palmer family since the 1970s, and witnessed firsthand how Palmer balanced fierce competitiveness with unparalleled generosity.

“You don’t get called ‘the King’ for no reason,” Rose says in a recent interview with the Mastercard Newsroom. “Arnold was unique in combining a personable side with the ability to be a ruthless competitor. He engaged with fans better than anyone and was also clinical on the course.”

Palmer also inspired Rose to give back, setting an example by establishing the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation. Rose and his wife have since established their own foundation, the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation, which fights childhood hunger in the Orlando area. In 2021, Rose was honored with the PGA Tour’s Payne Stewart Award, which each year  recognizes a player who has exhibited charity, character and sportsmanship throughout his  career. Now, Rose's dedication to both golf and philanthropy is being recognized with the prestigious Arnie Award from Golf Digest.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard will return in March as a celebration  not only of golf but of the enormous impact Palmer had on growing the philanthropic culture of the sport.

During this year’s tournament at Bay Hill, Rose will receive a Palmer bronze trophy, and Golf Digest will be donating $50,000 to the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation in recognition of Palmer’s legacy.

Not only does Rose admire Palmer’s compassion and skill, but he also has a very personal connection to the incredible contributions Palmer made to the Orlando community, where  both of Rose’s children were born at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

"Giving back to the Orlando community has always been a priority for me. It's about fostering unity and belonging. The people of Orlando have given me so much, and it's an honor to contribute to the growth and well-being of this vibrant community,” Rose says. “My connection to Orlando is deeply personal, especially with both of my children being born at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. This community has been a cornerstone of my life and career, and I am committed to continuing Arnold Palmer’s legacy of compassion and support."

Arnold and Winnie Palmer championed causes far beyond the game of golf and were particularly focused on improving the lives of young people. Today, the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation continues their philanthropic legacy by uniting the generosity of golfers and fans everywhere to make a positive difference.

Together, Mastercard and the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation have championed this sport and the passion of its players, communities and fans through philanthropic efforts that have raised money for families and the local community. The Palmer family continues to be involved actively in the organization and the world of golf.

Sam Saunders, a former professional golfer and Arnold Palmer’s grandson, has remained involved in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and was inside the ropes as his grandfather's caddie in 2004.

"Community is at the heart of everything we do at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. My grandfather, Mr. Palmer, always believed in the power of bringing people together, and it's a tradition we proudly continue,” he said.  “This event is more than just a golf tournament. It's a celebration of the spirit of togetherness, where fans, players and families come together to create lasting memories and support one another. It's this sense of community that makes the Arnold Palmer Invitational truly special."

While they no longer call Orlando home, the Rose family’s dedication to the community transcends their physical address. The Kate & Justin Rose Foundation focuses on nurturing local children through nutrition, education, and experiences. Since its start in 2009, the KJRF has fed more than 30,000 Orlando children and provided over 600,000 hunger-free weekends. The foundation also partnered with Book Trust, providing books for kids from low-income families in the greater Orlando area. Through their efforts, they have distributed over 400,000 books to children in the Orlando community, as well as countless educational experiences for inner-city children. KJRF launched the Orlando chapter of Blessings in a Backpack, and “Rose Blessings Orlando” continues to feed over 5,000 children every weekend of the school year in Orlando.

Rose is also a part of a long tradition of Mastercard golf ambassadors who have excelled at Bay Hill. Since Mastercard’s partnership as a presenting partner at the Arnold Palmer Invitational began 21 years ago, its ambassadors have finished in the top 10 of the tournament at least ten times.  

This ongoing success reflects the connection between Mastercard, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the combined mission to be the voice of Palmer’s legacy. When a Mastercard ambassador makes a hole in one, the company donates $200,000 to the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation. Since 2021, there have been three holes-in-one, netting $600,000 in donations.

Mastercard is also committed to empowering small businesses and local communities. Mastercard’s Foodies & Fairways activation, in partnership with Capital One Business, continues our tradition of supporting small businesses in meaningful ways. This year Se7enBites and Stemma Craft Coffee will have pop-up shops featured on the course, adding to the 13 businesses already supported with financial grants across various events. The company also supports content creators, a critical segment of the small business community, through a dynamic live studio. It’s a place for them to turn passion into profession with opportunities to create, network and learn.

By combining his love of golf and giving back, Rose continues to prove that true greatness is measured not only by victories but by the lives one touches along the way.