Reigning US Open champion Justin Rose is not about to hit the panic button given he’s currently outside the top-nine who will automatically qualify for the Gleneagles Team.
Rose is among 13 Europeans teeing-up in this week’s Valspar Championship at the stunning Innisbrook Resort complex in Tampa Bay, Florida.
It is Rose’s eighth appearance in the event with his best result being fifth three years ago.
Justin Rose unconcerned about not qualifying automatically for this year’s Ryder Cup team. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
Rose is also just outside those who will qualify automatically for the Ryder Cup and he’s confident, with still four Majors, one WGC and some seven months remaining, of qualifying for a third Ryder Cup.
“When you look at the present make-up of both teams and it seems like the rookies and the younger names like Victor Dubuisson, Jamie Donaldson and the likes in the US of Patrick Reed, Harris English already looking likely to cement their places in the team,” he said.
“Normally, at this stage of qualifying it’s the other way around with those who have played in the Ryder Cup and who have the experience and it will be the rookies or the up and comers are vying for the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th spots.
“This year though you can almost guarantee that a few of those guys are already in the team’s which is going to mean some of the bigger names are going to have to fight to make the teams, and that’s the case on both sides.
“As for myself, I am not worried at all. I feel like my game will be ready when the time comes and believe, and you should never count your chickens, but I should be on the team.”
Joining Rose is former Tampa Bay winner Luke Donald who won a four-way play-off two years ago, and to also move back to World No. 1 in the process.
However after being tamed by last week’s Blue Monster course in Doral, Donald is looking to again take the sting out of the Copperhead course that boasts the ‘Snake Pit’ – a closing three hole stretch voted by players as the toughest on the PGA Tour.
“I have good memories of Tampa having won there in 2012 and I was fourth there last year, so it’s a place I have played well around and I also enjoy the course,” said Donald.
“So with the last two weeks being pretty tough, mentally and physically, I’m looking forward to this week here in Tampa.”
