JUSTIN Rose says he is looking forward to taking his improved form and confidence into golf's final Major of the season - the US PGA Championship.

Rose tees up on Thursday at Whistling Straights, Wisconsin, at 1.05pm US time alongside Australian Stuart Appleby and American Zach Johnson, seeking glory in an event that home professionals have dominated in recent years.

But 24-year-old Rose (pictured) is in buoyant mood as he reaps the rewards of two weeks' coaching with David Leadbetter in Florida, prior to his return to competitive action on the US PGA tour 10 days ago.

And the north Hampshire ace insists he's ready to take his game to the beautiful, links-style, 7,597 yards Pete Dye-designed Whistling Straights, where Lake Michigan is visible from all 18 holes.

Rose said: "I'm really looking forward to playing there. It looks a fantastic venue for a Major and it reminds me a lot of the links courses back home.

"I've been reading up on Whistling Straights and it's the longest venue in Major history, which will be good for us bigger hitters, especially if the fairways are hard.

"But it's not all about length off the tee. The course is prone to a lot of wind, which shifts direction abruptly a fair bit, and sometimes fog, so the conditions will vary.

"I'm expecting it to be very tricky. The four par-three holes sound very interesting as they all run along the water's edge. Two run north-to-south and two south-to-north, so they play either downwind or into the wind or with opposite crosswinds.

"The greens are made of bentgrass and have huge contours, so putting will be a challenge. But it's a Major, so you know it won't be anything but a real test."

Rose added: "I'm feeling good about my game. In my last two tournaments, I've been playing well tee to green and just focusing on getting the ball into the hole instead of worrying too much about technique. It's been working too."

Rose said he is out to recapture the form he showed in April at the Augusta National in the US Masters, where he led the chase for the Green Jacket after 36-holes.

He certainly isn't thinking about the missed cut he suffered last year in the 85th US PGA Championship at Oak Hill when he finished on plus 15 - the same score he posted at the US Open in June en route to crashing out at the halfway stage.

But after failing to make the Open Championship at Royal Troon, Rose knows he needs to produce in a Major, especially if he is to grab a Ryder Cup spot.

He said: "I played well at Augusta but obviously the US Open and not making the Open were two big disappointments. I need to play well this week and show I can compete for a Major again."

Since returning to America after his holiday and having his swing over-haul, Rose has played two tournaments and appointed a new caddy.

In his first event, the Buick Open, Rose tied for 24th. His elder brother Brandon caddied in the Buick Open, as Rose parted company with Phil "Wobbly" Morley after missing the cut in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond last month. Rose has since appointed Retief Goosen's old caddy to take his bag.

Over the past four days, Rose has been playing in the Invitational tournament at Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Colorado. Under the modified stableford format, competitors receive five points for an eagle, two for a birdie, nothing for par, minus one for a bogey and minus three for a double bogey. It is an event Rose is enjoying.

Rose - who was tied for 10th place before yes-terday's final round - said: "It's a format where anything can happen. Even if you've had a few bogeys, some birdies and eagles get you right back in contention. I'll be shooting at the flag in my final round. It'd be great to win it."