Tournament's meaning is special for Justin Rose
The 22-year-old British golfer is ready to reach his full potential.
SANDWICH, England (AP) -- Justin Rose always looks forward to the British Open.
"It's the highlight of the year," the 22-year-old British golfer said Wednesday. "It's a tournament that's possibly been in my mind the last couple of weeks."
When he was 17 and playing as an amateur, Rose chipped in for eagle to finish in a tie for fourth at the 1998 British Open. He turned pro the next day, but failed to make the cut in his first 21 pro tournaments.
His thrilling finish at Royal Birkdale five years ago gave him a 1-under 69 and made bigger headlines in his homeland than American Mark O'Meara did by winning the tournament.
"The 18th -- I think that for me is the ultimate," he said on the eve of the 132nd British Open at Royal St. George's. "That brings back wonderful memories, wonderful feelings and excites me for the future."
Reaching his potential
Rose has finished in the top 30 in each of the last two British Opens, tied for 39th at his first Masters and fifth at the U.S. Open at Olympia Fields a month ago. Now he says he's ready to realize his potential at the British Open.
"That's what I'm sort of striving for, to see my name on the top of the leaderboard one day," he said. "For me, that's probably one of the most exciting walks in golf."
The slow start to his pro career didn't dampen his spirits. Rose won two European Tour titles last year and has continued his consistent play this season, building up to this week's event.
"The last two weeks have been big tournaments. I've been focused on them. But maybe it's been niggling at the back of my mind and the one I was getting excited about," he said. "If I went through my career without winning it I would feel disappointed because of how much it means to me."
At Muirfield last year, Rose went into the final round tied for third, but shot a 1-over 72 and shared 22nd place.
"I didn't take on the challenge that day," he said. "I didn't feel I was ready. And, this way, if that situation came around again I would feel a lot more at ease with thinking I could win the Open championship."
So, why does he think he's ready this time?
"I think it's just a culmination of all the experiences I've been through," he said. "I sort of began to realize it when I got back from Augusta. I began to realize how special the majors are and how rarely they come about."