Rose unfazed by USA’s home advantage (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Justin Rose unfazed by USA’s home advantage in Ryder Cup

4:24pm Wednesday 26th September 2012 in Sport By Gordon Simpson, Senior Sports Reporter

JUSTIN Rose believes the home advantage enjoyed by the United States in the Ryder Cup has eroded over the last decade, due to the number of Europeans playing on the PGA Tour.

The former North Hants member will line up in José María Olazábal’s team this week, as they look to defend the famous trophy at Medinah Country Club, in Illinois.

Rose, who is coming off a second place finish at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, is one of an increasing number of European players making their living, or at least competing regularly, in the States.

The 32-year-old insists that, because of that familiarity with the courses, crowds and style of golf, there is less of a culture shock when the Ryder Cup is held in America.

“I would say the US has less of a home advantage than they did ten years ago just because of the fact that we do choose to live and play most of our golf here,” said Rose.

“But the Ryder Cup atmosphere is second to none.

“The US does have a lot of rowdy golf tournaments where the crowd can get on the limit, which is great fun to play in front of. I think the more we get used to playing over here, the less of an adjustment it is to play Ryder Cup over here.”

Rose heads into the tournament in encouraging form.

His 14-foot putt for par at the last in the Tour Championship earned him second place outright, behind winner Brandt Snedeker, and moved him up to fifth in the world rankings – his highest position ever.

Europe now boast four of the world’s top five players heading into the Ryder Cup.

However, while all 12 of the American team were in action at the weekend, just five European players were competing.

“I think it’s been a real good ebb and flow between the American team and European team,” said Rose. “Obviously, Snedeker winning, the needle might be swinging in favour of the Americans.

“But I think it’s set-up for a great week in Chicago. I looked at the long range weather forecast. It looks like it’s going to be perfect.

“Two great teams, I think, all in the top 35, 40 in the world, something like that. So it’s probably as strong as it’s ever been between two teams. It’s going to be the team on the week.

“What I did say is all 12 of their guys played this week, and only five of ours did.

“We’ll see how that plays out, if your guy’s a tournament shark or if we’re mentally fresh.

Only time will tell.”