Justin Rose admits the clock is ticking on his career but he believes he still has "special" victories in his future after a classy opening round when others faltered at The Open Championship on Thursday.
The 43-year-old was out in the early wave of players and masterfully plotted his way around Royal Troon's testing layout in stiff winds, shooting a bogey-free two-under-par to get in the clubhouse in a tie for second.
Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, sits one shot adrift of early leader Justin Thomas on the Ayrshire coast, a feat made all the more impressive by the fact the Ryder Cup hero had to earn his place at Troon in final qualifying. He shot eight-under-par across 36 holes at Burnham and Berrow in Somerset a fortnight ago to secure his spot.
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Rose said that day he was heading to Scotland with designs of lifting the Claret Jug and a strong start has only grown his confidence. And with victories at historic venues including Pebble Beach, Merion and Muirfield Village already under his belt – as well as an Olympic gold medal – Rose thinks there are more big wins in his future.
"I still believe that all right," he said. "I've been around long enough to know that I can – I know what I'm capable of. I know how I'm feeling in the moment and can get inspired by the situation.
"I've been pretty good in my career at winning the special ones. That's kind of what I've been really working hard for the last two or three years – to have the opportunity late in my career to have a couple of special, amazing opportunities. That's what's keeping me going.
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"Will I compete week in and week out at the very, very, very highest level at 44? Who knows, but I still feel like I'm a good enough golfer to find my spots and find my angles and have my weeks where it all comes together."
Rose is in his 27th season as a professional and the world No. 1 recognises that the end of his days as a top competitor will not last forever, but he says The Open ranks among his best chances to add another big victory to his resume.
"I mean, yeah, it's obvious, isn't it? [I will be] 44 soon," he replied when asked if he started to feel the pressure of time. "History would suggest [the clock is ticking]. But I think The Open offers you that opportunity maybe more than some of the other majors.
"I feel very confident in myself that I can actually still improve tomorrow versus today. As long as that's the case, I'll keep believing for sure."