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• Justin Rose was speaking ahead of the Farmers Insurance Open
• “It just shows golf is a hard game and it’s a game of confidence”
• Ryder Cup star gearing up to play one of his favourite courses

JUSTIN ROSE

European Ryder Cup star Justin Rose admitted his surprise at Tiger Woods’ current troubles but highlighted that the American’s form proves how tough the sport is.

Rose, 34, was speaking in San Diego ahead of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines GC – a course which Woods has won at eight times including the 2008 US Open – and says it might take the 14-time major champion a bit of time to get back to winning ways.

He said: “I think if you look at the world rankings and where Tiger is, it was reminiscent to where he was when he was down outside the 50s.

“It just shows golf is a hard game and it’s a game of confidence as well and sometimes if you haven’t played much, confidence can disappear. So it’s going to take a little while to get back into tournament mode, get himself into contention, start to feel good again and the rest comes back pretty quickly.”

The 2013 US Open champion, who became the first Englishman to win the competition since Tony Jacklin in 1970, burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old in the 1998 Open Championship and reflected on his professional career so far which has spanned half his life.

“I think Torrey Pines is one of my favourite venues and the South Course is definitely one of my favourite golf courses” – Justin Rose

“At 34, I think one of my strengths is the experience that I have under my belt so there comes a point where you can’t keep chalking things up to experience, it’s time to go ahead and just do it,” Justin Rose said.

“My 30s have been pretty good to me so far so hopefully I can continue that trend at least for the next five to ten years for sure. I think I’m fitter now than when I was 21 so that’s good news and the more resilience I can build at this point in my career, the longer that’s going to last me into my 40s. I’m definitely seeing the bigger picture right now and I’m excited about the future.”

In the very near future, Justin Rose is looking forward to this week’s tournament, where he will be making his sixth start but his first since 2012.

“I think Torrey Pines is one of my favourite venues and the South Course is definitely one of my favourite golf courses so I’m excited to be back. I missed last year, maybe through injury or something, but it’s a tournament I have enjoyed having on my schedule.

“The weather looks fair and I think it’s going to be a fantastic tournament and everything’s set for a great week.”

Will Justin Rose become a multiple major champion? :: Your thoughts

Justin Rose won his first major at the US Open in 2013. Can he add another major title? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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