Justin Rose

In the form of his life, Englishman Rose is a potential winner at St Andrews.

It is 12 years since Justin Rose announced himself to the world of golf in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. As a raw 17-year-old he lay second after round two and then holed out from the rough to finish fourth on the final day. He later admitted that the success came a little early for him – turning pro seemed the right thing to do but it set him back. Since then he has rediscovered, then lost, then rediscovered, then lost again his form. He seemed destined to never realise his potential. But all of a sudden something changed in late May. Jack Nicklaus once told him that he would win Nicklaus’ very own Memorial event one day and this year the prediction came true. Three weeks later he trounced the field for two days at the Travelers Championship only to stall at the weekend. The doubters piped up again only to have their cat cries drowned out by his win in the AT&T National. In the form of his life, he’s a potential winner.