Justin Rose won’t rest on his laurels behind Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy has taken the mantle of being the biggest show in golf.

But in Justin Rose, we’re lucky to have another stellar player.

Justin is already an exceptional golfer. He has shown that by winning the US Open on one of the world’s best courses, Merion, and he has been a pivotal performer for Europe in the last two Ryder Cups.

But he won’t rest on those laurels because he will be anxious to win a second Major.

His US Open success was no fluke, but Justin will want to prove to himself that he can do it again.

What’s more, there is a huge gulf in perception once you are a multiple Major winner.

The best thing I can say about Justin is that he has got better with each year he’s been on Tour.

He served his apprenticeship. He lost a few Majors but then went away, saw what he had done wrong and came back a better player.

Now he performs well on the big stage, and he wins when he gets a chance.

Plus, he has such a good swing that Tiger Woods went to work with Sean Foley after seeing what the coach had done for Justin.

Rose was not broken by the poor start to his professional career and he can cope with setbacks on the golf course.

That mental fortitude shone through in the Singles at the last two Ryder Cups.

The English golfer famously won the last two holes to beat Phil Mickelson at Medinah, and he clawed it back from four down against Hunter Mahan at Gleneagles to claim a valuable half.

At 34, he is now entering the prime years of his career, and he can build his schedule around peaking at the Majors and WGC events.

After taking time to enjoy his success at Merion, and his new status, I’m expecting a strong year from him. And I genuinely think he’d be disappointed if he can’t land a Major this year.

Like Rory, he is beginning his 2015 season in Abu Dhabi this week, and he’ll be looking for a fast start against a strong field.

The first tournament of the year is like the opening day of the football season. There is a big build up and you don’t want to miss the cut.

The course, the weather and the practice facilities in Abu Dhabi are perfect, and you just want your golf to match.