Justin Rose revealed his belief at St Andrews that British and Irish golf is so strong now that they alone would be a match for the United States in the Ryder Cup.

It was 31 years ago that continental golfers - most notably Seve Ballesteros, of course - were brought into the Ryder Cup for the first time after a run of defeats stretching back to 1957. But following the victories of Rose (twice), Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell on the US PGA Tour this season the balance of power has shifted back.

"Right now it would be a close game," said Rose after avoiding the worst of the weather in his final practice session for the Open Championship. "I think for the first time it would probably be a close-run thing, for sure. We've always had one or two great, great players and we now have a great depth to the team."

There are now eight British or Irish players in the world's top 20 compared to six from the States, although to get a full team of 12 based on the rankings Corey Pavin would have to go down only as far as Nick Watney in 34th place, while Colin Montgomerie would have 75th-ranked Brian Davis as his last man.

Rose is himself up to 16th in the world and is one of the favourites for the Claret Jug, although he commented before teeing off with Tiger Woods: "I really don't feel necessarily that all those good weeks are going to help me all that much.

"Thursday is about a new challenge, a new week, a new golf course. But should the week progress nicely and I find myself in contention then that's when I might be able to draw upon the last few weeks.

"I fully expect, whether you take it a little bit wider into European, one of us to be in contention on Sunday - just pure numbers."

The forecast is for wind and rain through the week, but the 29-year-old added: "I don't want it to be as bad as it can be.

"I like a test. The way I picture it would be nice and sunny, 20-mile-an-hour cross-breeze across the golf course - I think that would have tested everybody, but made it very, very enjoyable.

"If we get a little bit of the extreme stuff, then so be it, But the draw can be lop-sided if it's incredibly tough one morning and then dies out."