Defending champion Justin Rose gives himself and other English golfers better odds of winning the US Open this week at Pinehurst than of England capturing the World Cup in Brazil.
“I would say there’s probably more chance of one of us winning the major than England winning the World Cup potentially,” Rose said Tuesday.
“So sad to say, but.”
As the world’s top golfers gather to begin the 114th US Open on Thursday, 32 of the world’s top football teams are in South America to start their month-long quest for global supremacy the same day.
England will play in World Cup Group D alongside Costa Rica, Uruguay and Italy with the English opening Saturday against the 2006 champion Italians.
The England-Italy match figures to finish just about the time the sun sets on the last groups at Pinehurst.
“I thought it could be a little bit of a national hero if I’m leading the US Open and I swerve my press conference to go watch the game,” Rose said.
“I’m not saying that might not happen.”
Rose, who captured his first major title last year at Merion, is not in on any betting pools but he does have some confidence in manager Roy Hodgson’s side.
“Blind faith that England will get far in the tournament prevails, so we’ll see,” Rose said.
His slight to the Three Lions hopes of claiming their first World Cup crown since 1966, Rose says, is partly about his confidence in English golfers such as Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald and Paul Casey — all seeking to duplicate Rose’s feat by winning a first major crown.
“There have definitely been some opportunities that some English guys have had in the past,” Rose said. “I think the more that slips past and slips away, the more it becomes more difficult.
“But also there’s many of us that it could have been any one of our weeks at anytime. That’s not to say that couldn’t happen for any one of four or five English players this week. We’re all good enough to do it.
“It’s just about in the final moment just having that bit of luck or certainly that confidence to hit the right shot at the right time.”
Rose also related a story about leading a US PGA event entering Sunday’s final round and watching England play Germany in a World Cup match.
“It was a big game, Germany, and it was an emotional football match and then I never really calmed down,” Rose said.
“I ended up going out and losing the golf tournament, so maybe I’ll be a little bit more careful about my emotions watching the football.”
He won’t be the only one tuning in the football when not on the course.
Australian Jason Day figures to finish his second round Friday just about the time the Socceroos and Chile kickoff in a Group C match.
“Anything to distract yourself from this is huge,” Day said. “The biggest thing is just when you’re sitting at home, thinking about a lot of stuff. It’s a good distraction.
“Obviously I’m kind of pumped to see how Australia does in the World Cup. It’s going to be an exciting World Cup. It should be fun to watch.”