Rose wilts then blooms in US heat

JUSTIN Rose has battled to secure his passage to The Open later this month by winning two out of his last three tournaments in the US. After stumbling to a final round five over 75 in the Travelers Championship. (A one over 71 would have sufficed to win) he was obliged to enter the ‘AT & National’ needing a high finish to retain the lead in the cumulative money list that allows non-exempt players a chance to qualify before 04 July. (Failing that it would have been through the final stages at tough venues like Kingbarns).  Taking a four shot lead into the final round he played solidly to win by one and kept the European Tour Roadshow alive and kicking on the other side of the pond. This, after a few hiccups, could be the season when Rose finally comes of age. Blessed with one of the more technically sound swings on tour which was borne out by his maiden victory at the Jack Nicklaus endorsed Memorial event; at the 162nd attempt I hasten to add. This, however, was still not enough to gain automatic entry into the US Open which led to some raised eyebrows over the classification process. Back in the hunt for his first Major, Rose has a good record at St. Andrews and may be worth a flutter each way?

Tags: Championship, US tournaments