Rose: forever associated with Royal Birkdale
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Justin Rose is ready to put Birkdale 10 years ago behind him and concentrate on winning his first major.
The story hardly needs telling again - in this week of all weeks. Every golf fan knows what happened a decade ago and how far that fresh-faced teenager has travelled.
From holing his last shot from 50 yards at 18 for a birdie and a share of fourth, from 21 missed cuts after turning professional the following week at just 17, to his current lofty status as world number nine, Rose will always be associated with Royal Birkdale.
But he wants to move on. "To be honest, I think I'm past it," Rose said when asked if he was still re-living the experience of 1998.
"I feel the goodwill from everyone who knows the situation from 10 years ago but, at the same time, a lot has changed since then and I feel today was pretty much a normal practice round.
"This 18th hole is special, it's a great setting with the clubhouse in the background and any Open Championship, the way it's framed with the grandstands, is great.
Game face
"But, in a sense, it's time to get the game face on and do what I need to do this week. I always feel like I've played well when it really matters, although it's going to be a different kind of week for me.
"I'm going into it feeling like the game is there or thereabouts and just hopefully a little bit of spark or something and we'll be off and running."
After finishing top 12 in all four majors in 2007, Rose missed the cut in the US Open and was only 38th in the European Open a fortnight ago. He admits he would love to recapture the carefree attitude he had as an amateur 10 years ago.
"Pressure is very much self-inflicted," added Rose, who topped the Order of Merit last year after victory in the season-ending Volvo Masters.
"There is more of course because you feel like you actually have a genuine chance, whereas as an amateur you have nothing to lose. That's where the pressure comes from.
"If I could create a little bit of the approach I had back then, that sort of attitude, that's probably the right sort of combination.
"I'm happy with where I am in the game right now: top 10 in the world, European number one. I would have dreamed of winning a major but I don't think I ever timelined it.
"I feel like I'm coming into my prime the next 10 years. The first 10 years has given me a great opportunity to achieve what I want out of the game."
Ryder Cup
A Ryder Cup debut is one thing on the agenda and Rose looked a certainty after his victory at Valderrama, but he now finds himself in danger of being overtaken by Scottish Open winner Graeme McDowell in the world points list.
"It's a tough battle this year, the guys are all playing well so you can't be complacent," Rose added.
"My goal is to get into the Ryder Cup playing well, not just squeak into the team. I want to be a valuable team member and win some points.
"My schedule has been set all year. I always thought my best way was getting in through the world points list so I'll continue to focus on that, but my next three events are all European events as well, two majors and the WGC Bridgestone Invitational.
"A big week there puts me right up on the money side too."
