JUSTIN Rose tees up in the 130th Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Anne's this week, looking to emulate the remarkable performance that catapulted him onto the world stage.

It was at the 18th hole at Royal Birkdale three years ago where the then 17-year-old Rose hit the shot he is best remembered for - a 100-yard pitch in from the rough to secure fourth place and the leading amateur silver medal.

The aftermath of that performance - turning professional and suffering 26 missed cuts in a row - has been well-documented, but this year Rose has started to fulfil the promise he showed at Birkdale week in, week out on the European Tour.

With earnings totalling £230,845,05 up to the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, guaranteeing him exemption from pre-qualifying for the event, the Hook-based golfer will be hoping the Lancashire sea-air has a positive effect on his game this week.

Rose's father, Ken, who at the Volvo PGA Championship in May was able to watch son in action for the first time in eight months following a battle with leukaemia, spoke to The Gazette about his son's prospects at Royal Lytham.

Ken, just back from a holiday with wife Annie, said: "We will be travelling up to Lytham to join Justin for his practice rounds and for what will be our first look at the course for some time.

"Ahead of not seeing and playing the course, there's not much I can tell you about his approach, but it will be interesting to see how he copes with the course changes they have made.

"His record there as an amateur was not great, but the course has small greens and is not overly long.

"It is strategically-minded, placing emphasis on finding the fairway and greens and so will need an intellectual approach, if that's the right term.

"Justin has been playing very solidly and if he keeps doing that and putts well, he should make the cut.

"If it all comes together, and he can keep his game solid, who knows? And if the weather turns bad, the tournament is anyones. It will be interesting to see."

Ken added that Justin will be seeing coach and family friend David Leadbetter as part of his Open preparations.

Ken explained: "There's nothing too drastic to work on. He will just reinforce a couple of things, which Justin likes to do with David."

Rose senior doesn't believe the undoubted references that will be made to Birkdale and his son's finish there would affect Justin.

"That's not a problem to him," he said.

The 20-year-old's final event before Lytham was the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, where he finished three under par.

On Thursday, joining the world's finest golfers, Rose will tee off at the 206 yard par three first hole with caddy Michael Doran and his family in tow - hoping to relive the glory days of 1998.

* For a full preview of this year's Open at Royal Lytham, see The Monday Gazette.