91Èȱ¬

Justin Rose hopes his US Open victory has "broken the curse" that has plagued English golfers in major tournaments.

Rose, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter have all been tipped as potential champions in recent years.

But it was Rose who finally ended the wait for England's first major success since Nick Faldo's 1996 Masters victory by winning at Merion last month.

"Hopefully it has broken the curse," said 32-year-old Rose, speaking ahead of the Open, which starts on Thursday.

"I have faced questions for years about who the next English guy to break through will be. I feel fortunate it was me who broke through first but I am sure it will give the others a little extra burst of enthusiasm.

"It probably gives them that added bit of belief. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the other guys follow in the not too distant future."

Westwood, 40, and Poulter, 37, have both finished in the top two at a major, while 35-year-old Donald has twice been in a tie for third.

All three have the chance to win a first major when the Open gets under way at Muirfield on Thursday.

But Rose, who was awarded a rose gold four iron by sponsors TaylorMade in honour of his final iron shot on the 18th at the US Open, is confident of adding to his victory in Merion.

"I feel like I am past the celebrating stage and I feel I am back in the work mode," he told 91Èȱ¬ Sport's Jonathan Legard.

"I am hungry to get back out practising and preparing for the Open."

The Open begins on Thursday and runs until Sunday, 21 July.