General / Editor / 28 May 2007 /

Justin Rose has withdrawn from this week's Memorial Tournament in America, with the Englishman making sure he is fully fit for the upcoming US Open.

The 26-year-old suffered play-off disappointment at Wentworth at the weekend, losing out to Anders Hansen for the BMW PGA Championship.

The Hampshire ace then decided not to join the strong field at the Memorial event, but insists he has not suffered a recurrence of a back problem that he picked up earlier in the year.

Rose insisted: "I'm just being cautious. I'm taking advice from my trainer and just trying to get myself stronger."

He will now fully focus on the year's second Major, which starts at Oakmont on June 14, with Rose confident of challenging for the title.
The Hampshire ace added: "I'm still comfortable with my game. It doesn't take me long to fire up the engines again and it's certainly been a benefit being fresh.

"I'm going to dedicate the next couple of weeks to really getting myself 100%."

Rose is trading at 60 to win the US Open next month - world number one Tiger Woods heads the market at 3.9 with Phil Mickelson on offer at 9.2.

After trading to small stakes at over 100, Rose is now available at 20 to win the European Order of Merit title. Henrik Stenson, around €650,000 ahead of Rose, is the current 2.02 favourite.

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