Rose gives a glimpse of the old magic with second place in Ohio

After failing to make the cut in his previous four events, there will be great relief for the Englishman at the first signs of form as he finished on six under after a final round of 71.

Like American Jerry Kelly, Australian Mathew Goggin and Canadian Mike Weir, Rose ended up two shots behind Kenny Perry, offering hope at least of a sustained revival going into the U.S. Open in 10 days' time.

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On the up: Rose

Rose said before the start of the final day that he was in a 'win-win' situation - under no pressure to finish first yet with a chance to rebuild damaged confidence.

But it could have been so much better for him if he had found the consistency which has deserted him this year.

He started three shots behind overnight leader Goggin but careless lapses wiped out all his good work and denied him what otherwise could have been victory.

An eagle on the seventh and birdies on the first, third and 15th holes in yesterday's final round reminded spectators of the player who won last year's Order of Merit.

Yet four bogeys also spoke volumes of the trough Rose has been trying to fight his way out of amid complaints of more lower back problems.

After an impressive 68 in the first round he could not maintain the same level but fared better than fellow Briton Luke Donald, who tied for sixth after a final round of 73 left him six off the pace.

Just champion: Kenny Perry poses with the trophy

Both were left in the wake of Perry, who came through the field late on to win the event.

The American closed with a three-under 69 at the Muirfield course, joining Tiger Woods as the only three-time winner of the tournament Jack Nicklaus built.

He played mistake-free along the back nine as Goggin stumbled to a 74 in the final round.