THE ROSE & CROWN

Justin’s chasing a second US Open title

ROSE-Y POSE-Y: Justin looks on after booming a drive

JUSTIN ROSE proved his Worth in Texas last month and now he wants to show he is still a Major player.

The Englishman has his sights set on a second US Open after a solid run of results on the PGA Tour.

Rose, 37, has not finished outside the top

25 in his last five events – going back to the Masters in April – and won the

Fort Worth Invitational two weeks ago. While the bookies might be offering their shortest prices on Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas to triumph at Shinnecock Hills in New York, the 2013 champion could well be in the mix on Sunday. But Rose let slip a secret that may be the reason why you can get such long odds on him being victorious after ending day two of The Memorial event as co-leader.

“When you are playing seven straight rounds at the top of the leaderboard the emotion is great but you are fighting for concentration and focus,” he said.

“And when I came off the course I was concentrating hard on being mentally fresh for the next day and not working on my game.”

As well as dealing with the pressure of being the favourites, Thomas (above) and Johnson also have to contend with being grouped with Tiger Woods for the first two rounds.

The former world No.1, 42, is still the biggest draw in the game and his presence in the blockbuster three-ball will ramp up the tension.

Thomas has form at US Opens – he fired a 63 at Erin Hills a year ago – the lowest score in the tournament.

Johnson also saves some of his best golf for America’s national championship.

He triumphed in 2016 but that should have been his second title. In 2010 he held a three-shot lead only to shoot 82 and end up five behind winner Graeme McDowell.