Justin Rose optimistic of birdie chances at Chambers Bay

Justin Rose was at the more optimistic end of the scale when it came to U.S. Open host Chambers Bay, with the 2013 champion claiming there were scoring opportunities at the major.

Opinions are divided on the United States Golf Association's decision to select the eight-year-old course to host their prestigious championship, given its use of fescue grass throughout, deep bunkers and alternating par scores on holes one and 18.

But Rose defended the Washington state course, claiming there were opportunities to break par.

"In Merion [in 2013], my mindset was to try to stick as close to par as possible, being a USGA event or U.S. Open, anyway," said Rose, who won the U.S. Open two years ago with a score of one over.

"There was talk earlier in the week at Merion about 10-, 12-under par being the winning score, and I kind of never bought into that.

"I kind of just stayed with my mindset of being patient and trying to churn out the pars and take your birdies when you can find them. But I think that's going to be very similar this week.

"I don't expect scoring to be extremely low, from what I've seen. I think there are going to be birdie chances out there."

Rose said given his form and his age - 34 - he is poised to contend for the major titles.

The only player to top Rose after 72 holes in his past three starts in US strokeplay events was Jordan Spieth at the Masters.

Rose's overall U.S. Open form has seen him either miss the cut or contend - he has been cut on four occasions, but when he makes the weekend, his results read one win, two other top-10s, tied 12th and tied 21st.

"I think from [age] 30 to 40 I always felt was going to be the time where I was going to have to step up and win a major, to get that done relatively early in that time frame has been great," he said.

"Let's call it six years, that's 20 plus, 24 majors that are going to come around.

"I feel like if I just keep doing what I'm doing, that's going to throw up quite a few opportunities.

"Of those opportunities you need to take advantage of as many as you can."

Rose refuted the suggestion the links course, likened to an Open Championship set-up, would favour the European Tour contingent over the PGA Tour players.

"You can look to the links feel of the golf course to suit Europeans, but at the same time I think the Americans and international players have had a great record at the Open Championship," said Rose, who has seven PGA Tour wins to his name.

"So I think we're all pretty well versed at playing different conditions all around the world.

"You might look at some of the Australian guys this week and think, especially if there is a slight breeze, it could almost play like a Melbourne, Sand Belt type course, where you have to play the bounce and have to control the ball flight and all those types of things."