This year’s slogan for the 150th Open is ‘Everything has led to this’ and Justin Rose admits it resonates with him after turning down LIV money to chase his dreams. Rose has his own place in the competition’s history after his famous breakthrough as an amateur when he chipped in at the last at Royal Birkdale to finish fourth in 1998 as a teenager.
But 24 years on, the former US Open and Olympic gold medallist is still yet to get his hands on the Claret Jug. Rose, 41, now the world No.50, knows time is running out to claim any more Majors. Peers like Lee Westwood, 49, Sergio Garcia, 42, and Ian Poulter, 46, have made their priorities clear to make as much money as possible in the Saudi-back LIV Golf series - prompting bans from the PGA Tour.
But classy Rose hasn’t sold out to the series, which has no cut, as he wants to stay sharp and eligible for a final push at golf’s most prestigious prizes. Rose told Mirror Sport : “There is a bit of a critical mass who have gone now and there is a little bit of strength in numbers. “But for me, these events like this are so special. I want to play the Major championships and force myself to keep working hard to compete in Majors. That is my ultimate goal.
“At this stage in my career, I am 42 nearly and have to be selfish to make the final push. I would prove something to myself if I could step up and play well again on the biggest stage for sure.” Rose has history on the Old Course after winning the St Andrews Links Trophy in 1997 as he went on to make the Walker Cup team. He turned pro the following year after his heroics in the Open at Birkdale.
But it took him until 2018 , when he came joint runner-up at Carnoustie , to better his debut Open performance. Rose assessed: “There is a lot of water under the bridge but I feel like I have begun the last five-ten years to play much better in the Open. “As they say, it has all led to this one.
"There was a spell after Birkdale where I was trying to live up to that time. For me and a guy of my age, this is probably my best chance to win in St Andrews. I am not going to have another good chance. I would be nearly 47 by the time it next comes around.”
Rose arrived in St Andrews off the back of the Scottish Open where he made the cut with a new caddie on his bag. He insisted: “I am playing some decent rounds of golf of late and playing a lot steadier.
“I go out on the golf course and there is nothing destructive happening at all. I am really close. I probably just need that little spark. But I feel like I am getting that and I have made some nice changes with a new caddie.
“That has changed the dynamic and the enthusiasm around that is good. St Andrews is also the kind of place that inspires you.”
