Rose focuses on No 1 priority in playing out perfect scenario

Justin Rose admits he cannot imagine a better scenario than winning a second major title to become world number one for the first time in his career.

Those are the prizes on offer for 2013 champion Rose in the 118th US Open at Shinnecock Hills, a product of ending last season with three wins amid 10 consecutive top-10 finishes worldwide and claiming a ninth PGA Tour title in Texas last month.

A runners-up finish in the following week’s Memorial Tournament could have seen Rose move to the top of the rankings, but there is no doubt that a victory here on Sunday would make the 37-year-old the fourth Englishman to become number one — after Nick Faldo, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald — since the rankings began in 1986.