US Open Champion Justin Rose hopes to build on his impressive record in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron this week.
The Englishman has never finished worse than 33rd in Ohio, with three top-five finishes in his eight appearances.
And Rose knows only too well that a strong showing this week can cement his position at the top of The Race to Dubai – he was tied second in this event in 2007 en route to becoming European Number One.
“Obviously this is a venue that I really enjoy being at,” said Rose.
“It's a golf course that really lets you know where you are with your game. It's very straightforward in the sense that you need to play good golf. You need to drive the ball well, and it offers you the opportunity that if you do that, you can play well. But certainly if you're off your game, it lets you know, as well.
“I finished fifth here last year. It's a golf course that I think gave me a kick-start to the end of the season last year. I think this was the start of me playing some really good golf.
“This event is very key for me obviously with the FedEx Cup, but also The Race to Dubai, the way it counts for both Tours. I'm leading The Race to Dubai in Europe right now, so this week and next week are very important events from that perspective.”
Rose admits his victory at Merion has taken some getting used to, but the Ryder Cup star now feels ready to perform as a Major Champion.
“I feel like after the US Open, I've had a little bit of downtime and a little bit of a lull, and I feel like this is the start of the rest of the season. I feel like I'm motivated and hungry to play some good golf for the rest of the year,” said Rose, who missed the cut at The Open Championship.
“Coming into this as a Major winner, I view it as that really shouldn't make any difference. The golf course doesn't know that.
“Basically each and every week you've got to build a whole new body of work. You've got to bring your skill set and apply it week in, week out. You can't rest on your laurels.
“I feel like the last couple of weeks I've had the chance to get back to normal, get back to doing all the right things, get back to doing all the good things that work for me and hopefully begin to feel really good about my game once again. At The Open Championship I didn't quite have it, but there's always a little bit of an ebb and flow.
“But coming into a World Golf Championships when you play against the best players in the world, you definitely get up for that, and on this golf course particularly. I think it's going to be a good test and a good week.”
