MARTIN Sell admits he was ‘inspired’ by Justin Rose’s major triumph after the Florida-based star secured glory at Merion.

Rose became the first Englishman in 43 years to win the US Open after pipping Phil Mickelson and Jason Day by two shots in the early hours of Monday morning (GMT).

Wrag Barn pro Sell missed the moment that the 32-year-old triumphed in Pennsylvania after succumbing to tiredness, but he was pleased to wake up to the success of his fellow countryman and said that all golfers could learn from his example.

“I didn’t actually watch the end of the final round,” he said.

“All the recent travelling had caught up with me and I was predictably asleep on the sofa somewhere early on on the back nine.

“What a way to stick the proverbial two fingers up to all those doubters who have criticised him over the course of his career.

“Justin’s victory indeed shows what can be achieved if you continue to work hard in the right areas and believe in your abilities.

“I’m sure that even for someone with his mental strength, winning a US Open must have seemed a long way away while he was going through a run of 20 missed cuts in a row.

“I think golfers of all levels can draw inspiration and learn from Justin and his work ethic and desire to be one of the planet’s best golfers.”

Sell now has his attentions firmly fixed on the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Macdonald Spey Valley, which begins today.

The 34-year-old tees off at 9.35am alongside Filippo Bergamaschi and Paul Maddy, and he is keen to forget his previous outing at Saint-Omer quickly.

Sell failed to make the cut in the Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open in northern France with an eight-over-par score for his two rounds leaving him unimpressed.

However, the Wiltshireman is in positive mood ahead of his latest event.

“Saint-Omer seems like a long time ago and while I was obviously very disappointed with how things went that week, I'm still upbeat about my game,” he said.

“I felt like the golfing gods were definitely against me. I know that I’m very close to playing really good golf.

“I'm pretty happy with my game in general as the weeks prior to Saint-Omer showed, three decent rounds and one poor one seems to be how things are going of late.

“This week I’ll be hoping for a change in fortunes and a hotter putter.”