By Mark Garrod, PA Sport Golf Correspondent

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Because of who they are and what they've done Paul Casey and Justin Rose are attracting a lot of interest heading into their United States Open debuts on Thursday.

Now their task, of course, is not to disappoint.

"I think we both have the belief we can be in the top 10 in the world. Pretty soon," stated Casey last month. Making an impact in a major is the quickest way.

The 25-year-old from Surrey has already won twice this year - first in the ANZ Championship in Sydney and then five weeks ago in the Benson and Hedges International Open.

After the second of those he was asked about his ultimate ambitions. There was no attempt to keep them private.

Casey replied: "I have a lot of them. And a career Grand Slam would be one of them."

It is fair to say he is starting from square one this week, though. In his first appearance in the Open last July the former amateur star had rounds of 72 and 78 and finished 129th out of 156 at Muirfield.

A month later he began his first US PGA championship with a nightmare 85 and although he improved 11 strokes the next day he was still only 145th of the 155 starters.

He has clearly made massive strides since, however, and after he had pushed current European number one Padraig Harrington into second place at The Belfry last month the Dubliner commented: "He is a class act and should move on from here. He's a good player, a strong hitter of the ball."

Partnering Rose in last December's World Cup in Mexico - and finishing third - was Casey's launchpad for this season and he stated: "Justin has been a huge motivation. He had a fantastic year last year and I would love to have the same success this year."

Rose won four times in 2002 and while he has yet to add to those victories earnings of over £230,000 hardly make it a cause for real concern.

And, unlike Casey, the Hampshire 22-year-old has already laid the foundations of what he hopes will be a glittering major career.

The start, of course, was his staggering fourth place at age 17 in the 1998 Open at Birkdale and then last year he was 22nd at Muirfield and 23rd in the US PGA.

Both times it promised to be even better. He was in the second last group on the final day of the Open and at Hazeltine he was only four shots behind at halfway, but finished 76-74.

Fitness and flexibility were areas Rose decided to had to improve upon and athletics coach Frank Dick has been consulted.

"I think my legs are a lot stronger and the programme I got from Frank is good. He's been grilling me to see how hard I've been working and I'm due to see him again after the US Open. I believe it will pay off in the long term."

Rose certainly now believes he can win the Open, but until he plays a US Open there is an element of the unknown and, asked what he expects of himself this week, he said: "Another good solid performance.

"I expect to deal well with everything that a US Open brings and see where that takes me, to be honest.

"I like it when par is a good score." Lee Janzen won at level par as recently as 1998 and since then Phil Mickelson has twice finished with the same score.

Brian Davis is the other British player making his first appearance and having qualified for the event the 28-year-old Londoner says: "I'm not going there just to make up the numbers. I'm buzzing about it - I can't wait.

"It's extra special because I've never played in a US major. It helps me further my career and is another stepping stone. If I play well anything can happen.

"It just felt to me as though the timing was right was try to get in. I like the environment and lifestyle over there and I like big crowds.

"It is costly. Some guys say they would rather play the Wales Open and British Masters than try to qualify, which is a bit of a lottery, but it's just one of those things - I've been having a good season and I wanted to do it.

"It's going to cost me about £10,000. I flew my caddie out business class for the qualifying, then there are his wages, the hotel and the rental car. There's no point not doing it properly if you're going to do it."

Asked if he knew anything about Olympia Fields Davis said: "Yeah, high rough, narrow fairways and rock-hard greens.

"I know it will be tough and the biggest problem for me may be that I like to hit driver everywhere. It's the strongest part of my game.

"But everybody will be going in the rough a few times - that's a given - and it's about keeping double bogeys off your card. If you're in it chip it out and don't get too adventurous.

"I will learn a lot. It's going to be a great experience and I'm playing well.

"I played awesome in the qualifying and the greens were the best I've ever putted on. They were so good. The second round was an easy 66."