Rose now looking for a first major

SOTOGRANDE, Spain -- Justin Rose's next target is to win a major.

The Englishman claimed the best win of his career at the Volvo Masters on Sunday and the victory earned him the European Order of Merit and shot him up to seventh in the world rankings.

The 27-year-old was in contention for all four majors this year and after his latest tournament triumph he said: "I'm going to set my goals even higher.

"I don't think I've got to change anything, which is the exciting thing. I've just got to keep getting a tiny bit better.

"Golf's getting to a stage where it's the tiny improvements are going to make the biggest differences at this stage obviously at moving onwards and upwards.

"My goal at the start of the year was to get inside the Top 20 in the world, and I'm into the Top-10.

"But certainly before next year starts and in the coming months, I'll reset my goals.

"Ultimately I want my career to include a major championship, or more than one hopefully."

Rose first came to prominence when he tied for fourth at the British Open at Royal Birkdale 10 years ago as a 17-year-old amateur.

He turned professional immediately but had to endure a prolonged bleak period with plenty of missed cuts.

His maiden European Tour success came in South Africa at the start of 2002 but his career really blossomed when he decided to play most of his golf in America.

This year he has moved into the top echelon despite having to cut down his schedule because of chronic back problems.

"I think this year's been so much more comfortable out on the golf course," he said.

"I'm not out there shaking like a leaf anymore. I'm out there pretty calm, pretty collected. I feel like I'm in control of my body and in control of my emotions, and that's when you can enjoy the occasion.

"You need to be able to enjoy it down the stretch and at least I feel like I'm backing myself."

Rose feels he has the potential to reach number two in the world. The presence of Tiger Woods puts the number one sport out of the reach for most challengers, Rose believes.

"I think number two is a legitimate goal. I think number one is a fair way off right now. But for the rest of the normal guys, number two is a good goal." E-mail to a friend