Justin keen to prove Ryder Cup credentials
Rose, 29, finished third in the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, closing the tournament by matching the course record of 64 to shoot up the leaderboard.
He is playing much of his golf in the United States after admitting he has achieved most of his ambitions in Europe; however, he is eager to be on Montgomerie’s Europe team for the match against the United States at Celtic Manor in October.
Rose said: “Ryder Cup is really important to me but it’s something that I don’t feel like I can focus on right now.
“It’s a weird thing. I think, for me to get into the Ryder Cup, I need to not worry about the Ryder Cup if that makes any sense. The Ryder Cup will take care of itself if I play well. I’ve just got to play well.’’
Rose was on Nick Faldo’s team two years ago and picked up three points out of four available.
However, given the current strength in British and European golf, he knows it will not be easy to retain his place.
“I think I’m ranked eighth in England now,” said Rose. “I’d struggle to make the Ryder Cup team.
“I feel like I’m a pretty good player, so that does speaks volumes for how strong English golf is right now. Obviously we’ve got four, five, six (high) in the world rankings as you all know. But it goes deeper than that.
“We are a really big golfing nation. British people love their golf.’’
Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey are the English trio near the summit of the rankings, and Germany’s Martin Kaymer, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson also feature in the world’s top 10.
Rose’s form in Florida, where he finished behind Anthony Kim and tournament winner Camilo Villegas, was good and he is well respected in the United States.
He is somewhat surprised he has failed to win a tournament so far on the PGA Tour.
“I have played good enough golf to win out here,” Rose said. “I’ve been close a few times. If I can just maintain the direction I’m going and certainly try to recreate the sort of calm mindset that I’ve had the last few days, I certainly believe it will happen.”
