General / Editor / 14 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Justin Rose feels he is capable of challenging for the US Open title this week after his confidence boosting performance at Augusta.

The Englishman finished tied fifth at the Masters after being in contention until the final two holes and that performance appears to have given him further belief.

Despite missing five weeks with a back injury, Rose says he is fighting fit ahead of his third US Open and believes he can challenge for the top prize at Oakmont.

The 26-year-old said: "I am feeling fine physically - there are no real problems now.

"I feel I am over it (the injury). It is just a case of getting back into my normal gym routine and patterns and getting myself 100% strong."

Rose added: "The course tests every part of your game and you have to drive the ball well to have any chance of controlling the shots into the greens.

"You can hit every green out here and still shoot plenty over par. It is about hitting the right spots on the greens.

"But I am as ready as anybody is going to be - I feel in good shape right now."

Rose, who is trading at 46 to win the second Major of the season, is paired with Charles Howell III and Sean O'Hair in the first round - teeing off at 18:58 BST.

The world number 19 is the 2.5 favourite to top their three ball, with O'Hair on offer at 2.74 and Howell trading at 3.9.