ASH, England (PA) -- Justin Rose is back in Britain sounding far happier about his game than he did when he left just over a month ago -- despite missing the halfway cut in the U.S. Open.

The world No. 9, building up to his return to Royal Birkdale 10 years on from finishing fourth there in the 1998 British Open as a 17-year-old amateur, plays first in this week's European Open at The London Club in Kent.

Rose's last "home" appearance was at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, and missing the cut there was his fourth early exit from a tournament in a row. Straight after that, though, came a second-place finish in the Memorial on the PGA Tour.

"That's the one week I feel I putted to my expected standards and I was in contention, so that was good to know," he said. "I feel good about my game -- things are going in the right direction and I'm working hard."

As for the Kent course, Rose's caddie reported to him at the start of the week that it looked like a week for low scoring, but on playing it himself he reported: "Not so easy, scoring might not be low."

He will be pleased to see some wind each day though, because of the benefits that could have for the upcoming British Open.

Sergio Garcia received advice from his father, a member of the European Seniors Tour, that it could be better for him to play this week rather than at the Scottish Open.

"Loch Lomond is good to get your competitive juices going, but it has more of a links look here," said Garcia.

This is Garcia's first event in Europe since the Volvo Masters last November. For several years now, he has played only rarely in Britain for tax reasons.

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