'I've hit winning Open putt 1,000 times in my mind'

Justin Rose shot 63 on the final day of last week's Sottish Open to secure a top six finish

Justin Rose said that he has hit the winning putt for the Open Championship in his mind "more than 1,000 times" during the early stages of his career.

The 44-year-old will tee off at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland on Thursday for the 153rd edition of The Open.

Rose has never won the British major but has twice finished second, in 2018 and more recently last year as Xander Schauffele lifted the Claret Jug at Royal Troon.

"The Open is probably the most emotional major for me," Rose told BBC Sport.

"As a British player it is one that I'd dearly love to win and is the one I've dreamed about winning the most as a kid, out on the putting greens as a youngster I've holed the putt to win The Open in my mind a thousand times or more."

Rose announced himself to the golfing world in 1998 as a 17-year-old amateur when he chipped in for a birdie on the last hole to finish tied for fourth at The Open.

"Birkdale 1998 for me is probably another reason why it has a special place in my heart, there's a lot of great reasons for me to keep working hard and try to win it," he said.

Rose's biggest career wins include the US Open Championship in 2013 and a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games.

He came close to a second major victory earlier this year when he came from seven strokes behind on the final day of the Masters to force a play-off against eventual champion Rory McIlroy.

Rose also comes into this year's Open after an impressive final day at the Scottish Open last week.

He set the clubhouse lead and best round of the day of 63 on Sunday to propel himself to a sixth-placed finish.

Rose 'confident' of Ryder Cup captain's pick

Justin Rose was part of team Europe's triumph over the USA in 2023

Rose currently sits just outside the automatic top six qualification places for this year's European Ryder Cup team.

The already qualified Rory McIlroy leads the way, also joined in the top six by Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka.

North Hants Golf Club's Rose sits ninth in the rankings, just below Rasmus Hojgaard and Ludvig Aberg on 886.84 points.

He says he is confident of joining captain Luke Donald and the team over in New York this September.

"The Open Championship is definitely front and centre right now," Rose said.

"But pretty much straight after that it is about trending towards the Ryder Cup, it's one that we've been talking about for four to five years now given the magnitude of it.

"I'm definitely confident of having the opportunity to play but I'd like to show Luke some form over the next few months, this is the most important time to show the captain that you're playing well.

"Making the team is not the goal. It's about contributing to the team, it's about getting my game as sharp as I can and playing my best golf come September."

Back in 2023 Rose was part of the squad that beat Team USA as the Europeans dramatically regained the trophy in Rome.

This year's competition will take place at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York.

"Competing in New York itself is going to be huge," Rose added.

"It'll be a massive challenge for team Europe and it's one the team is relishing because we're going to be facing a really hostile environment that will challenge us.

"If we can stick together as a team then we will have a great opportunity."