Justin Rose is relishing being back on the DP World Tour again as he begins a busy spell of playing in the United Kingdom with the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at the Belfry.
The former World Number One claimed his second Tour victory at this event in 2002 and was also the host of the popular tournament at Walton Heath in 2018.
With the Genesis Scottish Open – the third Rolex Series event of the season – on the horizon next month followed on by the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, Rose is eager to make the most of his time back in Europe.
“I am very excited to be back playing on the DP World Tour,” said Rose. “It is very nice to be doing it on home soil as well. It’s a big event and I am excited to be a part of it.
“I am looking forward to my summer in Europe with the Genesis Scottish Open and Open Championship to come. All in all, it should be a really good month at home.”
The 2013 U.S. Open Champion has enjoyed a resurgence this year, returning to the winner’s circle for the first time in four years on the PGA TOUR with victory at Pebble Beach in February.
That result saw him return to the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking and top tens have since followed at the PLAYERS Championship, U.S. PGA Championship and most recently at the RBC Canadian Open earlier this month.
“It was definitely a big motivation for me to improve my world ranking to enable me to change up my schedule and come and play more on the DP World Tour,” added Rose, who is now ranked 31st on the standings.
“It has been quite a pressurised run to get in the top 50 to get in all these elevated events so I am very happy to have got off to a good start this year and put myself in a good position for all of that which has meant that I can come back and enjoy events like this."
Rose attributes his excellent performances stateside to advice he sought from a coach on the PGA TOUR called Mark Blackburn.
"I would probably trace it back to November last year," he explained.
"I was struggling a bit with my game, wasn’t striking the ball consistently. He gave me a couple of thoughts, liked what he said and started to play better immediately. From there I formalised the relationship. He has just given me a plan, a concept and cleared up a few things for me.
"I am enjoying it, am motivated, all the things that you need to play well so a few things have fallen into place.
"The ability to do it never leaves you I suppose although I think it does get trickier the longer time does go by without seeing some good results so it has definitely been timely to get that win and some confidence back."
Rose’s U.S. Open win at Merion Golf Club ten years ago was the first Major Championship victory by an Englishman since Sir Nick Faldo won the Masters Tournament for the third time in 1996.
This week Faldo becomes the new long-term host of the British Masters which is one of the founding events on the DP World Tour and Rose believes the event will continue to go from success to success.
“Hopefully the tournament is going to be able to grow and become bigger and better,” he said.
“It is great to have Sir Nick Faldo on board for the foreseeable future. When you walk around the Belfry and see some of the iconic images of him winning The Open and the Masters it really hits home what he has achieved.
“I think it is great for the younger generation who are not as familiar with his wins to appreciate what a legend he is.”
Rose is joined by Challenge Tour graduate Tom McKibbin - a winner on the DP World Tour for the first time earlier this month - and Thriston Lawrence, who claimed his fourth title in less than last two years at last week's BMW International Open, over the opening two rounds.
