Justin: Only one English Rose will bloom

If Justin Rose gets to Saturday night and finds himself still on track for a first successful US Open title defence in 25 years, you may just see the Englishman skipping his country’s World Cup opener with Italy.

Not through a lack of interest, rather the opposite, because as Rose admitted yesterday at Pinehurst, and as any England supporter will tell you, watching England is bad for you.

Asked during his pre-tournament press conference whether he would be switching his focus to Manaus and the group game between England and Italy, last year’s victor at Merion was less than enthusiastic.