Rose back in a special location

GOLF: US TOUR:IT WAS not only Graeme McDowell who had the summer of his life last year. So did Justin Rose and now he wants to do it all over again.

The first of Rose’s two title defences in the next month comes at this week’s Memorial tournament at Muirfield Village in Ohio – against a field which includes new world number one Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy.

“I have had great memories from last year and it’s one of my favourite weeks of the year – even before I won it last year,” said the 30-year-old British player.

Rose said: “When you arrive there’s pictures of you all about the place and your locker is in the champions area. Just little touches like that make it a special week for sure. I feel like my game is in a very similar situation to how it was last year – playing really well without having had the results. I think the key is patience.”

He missed the cut in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last week after taking nine at his penultimate hole, but the goal is just to feed off positive vibes.

“For me it feels a little bit like going to Augusta every year,” he said. “You get there and it’s just a place where you want to play golf and it starts to exude good feelings and good energy.”

Rose admits he is disappointed not to have won since the ATT National last July – he did not even make the Ryder Cup team, of course – but added: “I think I’ve made huge gains in a lot of areas.

“I’m playing beautifully. I’m second this year in greens in regulation, which is a stat that I’ve never really done well in the past.

“I’m seeing a lot of other tangible signs of improvement that haven’t necessarily related to me being in the winner’s circle.”

On Donald’s rise to the top spot in the rankings – Rose reached sixth three years ago, but is currently 29th – he said: “His level of consistency is incredible and thoroughly deserves to be number one.

“I was pleased for him last week. He’s always getting it up-and-down or salvaging himself from a bad shot and that’s what’s giving him the level of consistency right now.”

Donald plays the opening two rounds with Phil Mickelson and Charl Schwartzel, the last two winners of the Masters.

The Lowdown

Course: Muirfield Village, Dublin, Ohio.

Length:7,265 yards. Par: 72.

Prizemoney:€4.3 million, €800,000 for the winner.

Field:120.

Defending champion: Justin Rose shot a closing-round 66 to overtake Rickie Fowler and win by three shots.

Layout:This Jack Nicklaus designed course has 13 water hazards and 73 bunkers to provide a tough test to golf's finest.

On TV:Sky Sports 3 (8pm tonight).

Weather:Cloudy but hot and humid.