World number 10 Justin Rose heads to Oakmont Country Club having recovered from a back injury that sidelined him for a month. The 2013 US Open Champion is looking to repeat his major heroics this week and has the skill set to do so.
‘I feel like most US Open courses suit the way I try to go about things and all eyes are on that prize right now,’ said Rose, who ranks second in strokes gained: tee-to-green on the PGA Tour this season and has seven top-20s from 10 starts in 2016.
The seven-time PGA Tour winner was second at The Masters in 2015, third at the PGA Championship in 2012, and came fourth at The Open Championship as an amateur.
Majors are bread and butter for the Durban-born golfer, who was the first Englishman to win a US Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
‘It can often be last man standing,’ said 35-year-old Rose. ‘Guys are going to make mistakes, you are going to have your stretch where you feel like you’re slipping out of contention. But you have to realise everyone is going to face that at some point through 72 holes, so just stick with it – grind it out.’
He shared 10th the last time the US Open was played at Oakmont in 2007, finishing on 11-over-par.
‘I remember it being a classic old course, incredibly difficult, bunkers being amazingly deep. I feel like it’s a course that could suit me,’ he concluded.
