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PINEHURST, N. Georginio Wijnaldum Liverpool Jersey .C. -- Now that hes got that pesky major out of the way, Justin Rose is learning to savour the quest for his next big title. Hes not nearly as optimistic about Englands chances in the World Cup. Rose is the reigning champion heading into the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, a player who is certainly more at ease with his place in golf now that hes got one of those prestigious titles on his resume. "In the last few months, I sort of realized what I have achieved and its time to embrace it, enjoy it, and let that be the strength for me to go on and win more," Rose said Tuesday. Of course, theres another big sporting event beginning this week, one that will certainly have the attention of Rose and his fellow English players. Their soccer-mad nation has a huge opening match in the World Cup against Italy on Saturday, the soccer game scheduled to begin in Brazil about the time the third round of the Open is wrapping up in North Carolina. Reflecting the mood of his homeland, Rose is not very hopeful. Englands only World Cup title came in 1966 and expectations are low for this team, a youthful squad playing in one of the most difficult groups. "I would say theres probably more chance of one of us winning the major than England winning the World Cup," said Rose, among 11 English players in the Pinehurst field. "Sad to say." Roses primary focus will be on his bid to become the first repeat U.S. Open champion in a quarter-century. Last years triumph at Merion had been in the making for nearly that long, ever since Rose finished fourth as an 18-year-old amateur at the 1998 British Open. He spent the next 15 years trying to finish the job, chasing a major title that seemed increasingly elusive as the close calls began to pile up, the weight of expectations becoming almost too much to bear. Then, just when it seemed he might have a lifetime membership in the "Best Players Never To Win A Major" club, Rose won a duel with Phil Mickelson at the venerable club outside Philadelphia, clinching the title with a 4-iron into the demanding 18th hole that gave him the par he needed to hold off Lefty. "I havent been one of those guys who said, OK, well, Im going to win X amount of majors in my career," Rose said. "I really want to treat this major that Ive won now as a gift and let it give me the ability to sort of free-wheel for the rest of my career -- play free, play loose, just go after it. Ive really got no pressure on me from that perspective anymore." Not surprisingly, the U.S. Golf Association paired Rose and Mickelson in the first two rounds. Both hope theyll still be playing together in the final group on Sunday. "I enjoy playing golf with Phil," Rose said. "I enjoy the spirit in which he plays the games, how free he is out there. Hes got a great temperament for the game. Nothing seems to faze him. Thats something a lot of players can look up to him for." Curtis Strange, the last player to win consecutive Opens in 1988 and 89, is pulling for Rose to join the exclusive club. "If Justin would happen to do it this year, that would be the first phone call," Strange said. "That would be fantastic." Rose missed the cut in his last tournament, the Memorial, though he thinks that might turn out to be a good break because it gave him more time to get familiar with Pinehurst. Before that stumble, he had ripped off three straight top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, including a tie for fourth against a loaded field at The Players Championship. His biggest challenge this week might be keeping his mind on golf. During the 2010 World Cup, Rose held a three-shot lead going to the final round of the Travelers Championship. That morning, he watched Englands title hopes fade away with a 4-1 loss to Germany. Then he went out and shot a 75, finishing three shots behind winner Bubba Watson. "I never really calmed down," Rose recalled. "So maybe Ill be a little bit more careful about my emotions watching the football." After all, hes probably Englands best hope for a championship. Simon Mignolet Liverpool Jersey . Or take a relaxing vacation somewhere warm. Brayden Schenn and Scott Hartnell scored, Ray Emery stopped 32 shots and the Flyers beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory. Jordan Henderson Liverpool Jersey . The 10-year deal the league and players agreed to that ended the 2011 lockout gave either side the right to opt out after six years. With the league projecting financial growth, there has been speculation that players will take that option in three years, especially since a new national TV contract will be in place by then. http://www.footballliverpoolstore.com/Women-Kamil-Grabara-Liverpool-Jersey/ . He looked very comfortable Wednesday night. Konerko had a big three-run double and Gordon Beckham homered for the second straight game, leading the Chicago White Sox to an 8-3 victory over the sliding Chicago Cubs.ARLINGTON, Va. - Eric Fehr always wanted to win the Stanley Cup. Thats what he dreamt of when playing hockey on the pond on his familys farm in Winkler, Man.Fehr didnt wonder what it would be like to play outdoors in the NHL. That changed early in his professional career.When the games started coming out and you started watching them, you definitely thought, This is pretty cool, this is something Id like to be a part of, Fehr said.Fehr, who will play in his second Winter Classic on Thursday when he and the Washington Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks, is part of outdoor hockey lore because of his role in the 2011 game in Pittsburgh. Fehr scored two goals including the winner in that game to help the Capitals beat the Penguins.He had the performance we all wanted to have, forward Brooks Laich said. He had the game we all wanted to have.Fehr scored on a wrap-around after Marc-Andre Fleury gave the puck away. Then he had the winner on a breakaway.It was one of his career highlights.Regular-season highlight maybe, Fehr said. At the end of the day its still a regular-season game. Obviously it was a bit of a bigger stage but at the end of the day it was just two goals.Those two goals of his 80 in the NHL with the Capitals and Winnipeg Jets are the ones most people remember about Fehr. In the rain at Heinz Field, the 2003 first-round pick, who has battled shoulder problems for years, had something of a coming-out party.It definitely put him on the map for some people that didnt necessarily know Fehrsie before, defenceman Karl Alzner said. Its a tough act to follow, but if anyone can do it, I would put money oon him to battle hard for it. Lazar Markovic Jersey. .Fehr thanked the bad ice for evening the playing field that night.It was a different game, he said. It wasnt a game like most.Sun is in the forecast for Thursdays game at Nationals Park, so the 29-year-old forward isnt promising an encore performance.Were going to let everybody else get in there and get some goals and Im going to try to fly under the radar, Fehr said.Fehr has two goals in his past three games, so maybe he shouldnt count himself out. Twice a 50-goal scorer with the Western Hockey Leagues Brandon Wheat Kings and twice a 20-goal scorer for the AHLs Hershey Bears, he has the kind of natural talent teammates marvel at.Hes a guy that can all of a sudden step up, Laich said. Its almost like a home-run hitter can step up and just crack one. Hes got that game-breaking sort of ability to score.Defenceman Mike Green can still remember how Fehr scored his goals four years ago in Pittsburgh. To Green, it was just another example of what Fehr can do with the spotlight turned up.Hes one of those players thats sort of in the weeds but when he needs to step up and play in big games, he does, Green said. Hes been great for us lately, and hopefully hell have (another) showcase in the Winter Classic.After that two-goal night, Alzner said Fehr has big shoes to fill — his own. But Fehr sounded like a guy trying to reduce expectations rather than inflate them going into Thursday.I didnt guarantee not scoring a goal, Fehr said with a chuckle. But I guaranteed lots of other guys were going to score goals. Well see what happens.---Follow @SWhyno on Twitter ' ' '