Justin Rose can consolidate his new position in the world's top 50 by following up his British Masters victory on Sunday with a win at the English Open at the Forest of Arden this week.

The Englishman's fourth title of the year at the weekend lifted him to a career-best 48th in the world, and he is now 30 places higher than compatriot Lee Westwood, Europe's number one in 2000.

Rose (21), is seventh in Europe with two titles during 2002, while the struggling Westwood has slipped to 93rd on the European money list and 78th in the world.

Westwood's best result in a largely disappointing European Tour campaign was 44th at the US Masters.

He tied for 45th last week behind Rose at Woburn and his only other tournament finish was a share of 58th in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia during January.

Westwood's slump in form means he will not be contesting next week's US Open, the second major championship of the year.

Rose's triumph last week came too late to earn him a place in the US Open as a player ranked in the world's top 50, but he is set to play in the British Open and is a near-certainty for the season's final major, the US PGA.

The young Englishman is also in the field for the last two World Golf Championship events of the year.

Rose, who will be playing alongside Westwood in the opening two rounds at Forest of Arden, believes the former European number one will regain his form.

"Lee still has a few wins on me and he's still a world-class player," he said. "He knows how to win. I think everybody goes through a little dip in form, but he has got the experience to get right back up there. But now my world ranking has come on, it looks like I'm going to be playing the US PGA as well as the British Open.

The Irish challenge this week is headed by Darren Clarke, who won the event in 1999 and 2000. He is joined by Paul McGinley, Eamonn Darcy, Des Smyth, Michael Hoey, Philip Walton and David Higgins.