Justin Rose Turning Attention to US Open Defence

US Open champion Justin Rose will use this week's BMW PGA Championship as preparation ahead of the defence of his title at Pinehurst.

Rose will look to become the first ever Englishman to defend the second major of the year in June, amid a packed summer schedule in the golfing calendar.

Despite the unpredictability of Pinehurst – which will host the tournament for the third time this year – the world No.8 will use the blue ribbon event of the European Tour to groom himself for the challenge in North Carolina.

"I think Wentworth has been a hit or miss tournament for me," said Rose, who has finished second on two occasions.

"My game has been smooth, three top 10s in a row [in Zurich, Quail Hollow and Sawgrass] but I am hoping I can keep that going and keep myself in contention.

"You get up for it and the first tee is always a really nice occasion and this year will be really special for me because in years past I've always seen the big trophies sitting on the first tee.

"Now it's my turn to have one of my trophies sitting there so that will be a really nice occasion when I see the US Open trophy sitting there.

"This is the last week I have it, it goes back after this week so it's now time to start thinking about winning it again.

"I'll do exactly what I did at Merion last year and it worked out for me there and hopefully it will produce the same situation."

Rose has been unable to win since prevailing in Merion, failing to make the cut at the Open Championship before a 33<sup>rd place finish at the PGA Championship and a top-15 finish at the Masters in April.

Though the 33 year old is concerned by failure to win in the past 12 months, Rose feels his form is sufficient to contend both this week and the US Open.

"I would say my form has been generally good, it's been consistent," he added.

"I've had a lot of top fives, I haven't won which is something I would like to do before I get back to the tournament that I'd like to win but at the same time that is not going to drive my performance at the US Open.

"It was disappointing missing the cut straight after the US Open but I felt I had a lot of my plate. USPGA I threatened a little bit and the Masters I was four back going into Sunday so I've been close, nothing to write home about but the form is there."