English golfer Justin Rose has reportedly admitted that there is no extra pressure on him as he is set to start his US Open title defence at Pinehurst on Thursday.
Rose, who is bidding to become the first man since Curtis Strange in 1989 to successfully defend the title, said that he does not like the word 'defending' because it puts one behind the 'eight-ball'.
According to the BBC, Rose said that one does not want to be out there being defensive at all, adding that he is the only one guy who has got the opportunity to repeat, but he sees that as a pressure-free situation.
Rose captured his maiden major title at Merion, Pennsylvania, 12 months ago to become the first Englishman for 43 years to win the US Open.
Rose, who will play alongside Phil Mickelson this week, said that he enjoys playing golf with the American and the spirit in which he plays the game.