World Number Three Justin Rose is ready to go at the 100th edition of the US PGA Championship after reporting no injury problems.
The 38 year old missed the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last week due to back soreness and has not played a practice round yet at Bellerive Country Club, however the Englishman reported no issues after hitting a few balls on Wednesday and is ready to challenge at the last Major Championship of the year.
“It’s a wonderful event,” said the Olympic gold medal winner. “I mean, you win any of the four Major championships, and you’re a happy man. It’s got one of the coolest trophies that there is in the sport, (it’s) huge. You can have a lot of fun with that. Some great names on it. Obviously, it’s the Professional Golfers’ Association event, so something pretty prestigious about it.”
Rose has top 12 finishes at each of the first three Majors this season, with his best result being a tie for second at the Open Championship last month. He will start his campaign when he tees off with Spaniard Jon Rahm and American Jordan Spieth, as he eyes a second Major title to his name following his success at the 2013 US Open.
A win in St. Louis would end England’s 99-year wait for a US PGA Championship victory, after Jim Barnes’ win in New York in 1919, and Rose will spearhead the English charge alongside World Number 11 Tommy Fleetwood, Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter, 13-time European Tour winner Paul Casey and rising stars Tyrrell Hatton and Matthew Fitzpatrick.
Reigning Race to Dubai champion Fleetwood, who is third in this year’s Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex, has posted top 20 finishes in all three Majors this season, including second place in the US Open in June after a record-equalling final round of 63 at Shinnecock Hills.
“For me personally, it’s a case of keep doing the same things,” said Fleetwood. “I’ve had a good run of putting myself in contention in a lot of events and a lot of the big events, and it just so far hasn’t happened. I mean, sometimes golf is just like that, and it’s just a case of keep doing what you’re doing, and eventually it will happen. There’s still things I’d like to sharpen up in my game, but once you keep putting yourself in position, four days is a long time, and for me it’s just not quite happened over four days for the last few weeks.”
Meanwhile, defending champion Justin Thomas will look to make it two wins in two weeks following his impressive four stroke victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last week. The World Number Two is relishing the opportunity to defend a Major title and hopes to add another positive result to his already glowing golf CV.
