'As good as it gets'

10:08am Friday 5th September 2008

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JUSTIN Rose is hoping to pick up a few points for Europe after securing his spot in Nick Faldo's team for the Ryder Cup.

The north Hampshire golfer made sure he would play at the famous tournament with a fifth-place finish in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles last weekend.

"It's the highlight of the season so far and, now that I've made the team, it's important not to take my foot off the gas because I want to go there playing well and be a valuable team member," he said.

The Ryder Cup will take place at Valhalla, in Kentucky, later this month. Rose, the youngest member of the European team at 28, will be making his debut in the event and he is really looking forward to it.

"The team spirit, the camaraderie and the lads coming together as one is what I've always loved about amateur golf and what I've missed as a pro," he explained. "To have that situation in possibly one of the biggest sporting events in the world will be just about as good as it gets."

Rose's qualification could be a reason behind Ian Poulter's wildcard inclusion, with the pair, who are close friends, seen as a good partnership.

However, the world number 14 says he is not too concerned about who he is paired with in the first two days.

"I feel like I could play foursomes or fourballs with anybody," Rose said. "I feel like I'm pretty relaxed and could team up nicely from a chemistry point of view with a lot of players.

"Hopefully, I can pick up a few points. I think I bring a fairly well-rounded game and, hopefully, I will be quite a versatile player for the team."

Despite making a very strong start to the year-long Ryder Cup qualification process, the former Robert May's School pupil was forced to miss the more lucrative Deutsche Bank Championship in America in order to make sure of his place in the team.

The Johnnie Walker Championship was the final chance for players to earn their spot and Rose put in a good performance to finish tied for fifth with Marcel Siem on -10, four shots behind winner Gregory Havret.

An opening round of level-par 73 left him 22nd, but this was followed by scores of 71 (-2) and 67 (-6), leaving him just three shots off the lead and in contention going into the final day.

While Rose was unable to challenge for the title, fifth and 67,885 euros was enough for him to hold off his challengers for a place in the European team.

Rose now has a two-week break before travelling to Valhalla for the Ryder Cup, which begins on September 19.