Ken Rose, Justin Rose's father, mentor and coach, has died after a long battle with cancer.

Rose occasionally caddied for his son during the early stages of his career.

He was well enough to follow Justin during his first two rounds at the Open Championship at Muirfield in July when Rose played with world number one Tiger Woods.

A spokesperson for Justin's management company, IMG, released a statement which read: "Our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time and may we please ask that the Rose family are left alone to grieve in private."

Justin turned professional as a 17-year-old after a remarkable joint fourth finish in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in 1998.

Rose's career has been on an upward spiral since he ended a depressing string of missed cuts and he is currently the top ranked English player in the world.

The 22-year-old has won four times so far this year but his father missed his emotional debut win in his native Johannesburg as he was recovering from a course of chemotherapy at the time.

Rose dedicated his victory in the Dunhill Championship in January to his father, saying: "Johannesburg is definitely a second home for me. I love coming back.

"I had my brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends out there and I'd like to dedicate this win to them because they've supported me no end this week.

"I just wish my mum and dad had been here and that would have been the full set. I spoke to my mum on the phone and she was in tears.

"My dad's not so well and he is the guy I owe most to. He's put a lot of time, a lot of hours into my game. This win is for him more than anybody."

Ken was well enough to see his son's first victory on British soil, however, following him for all four days as he edged out close friend Ian Poulter to win the British Masters at Woburn in June.

He also travelled to Minnesota for the recent USPGA Championship, where Justin performed superbly well on his competitive debut in the United States by finishing 23rd in the final major of the year at Hazeltine.