Rose admits to having low expectations for The Open
Justin Rose admits he arrived at Royal St George’s with low expectations so an opening three-under 67 on the first day of the 149th Open Championship represented something of a success.
The major winner may have had top-10 finishes in the year’s first two majors – seventh at the Masters and eighth at the US PGA – but he missed the cut with a 13-over total at last month’s US Open, a title he won back in 2013.
Rose’s only event since brought a joint-36th place finish at the Travelers Championship as he opted not to play the Irish and Scottish Opens this month in order to work on his allround game.
He benefited from that with a bogey-free round which left him three off the early clubhouse lead held by 2010 champion Louis Oosthuizen.
“Really happy with that – there was enough quality to be excited about,” the Englishman, who has had two top-six finishes in the last three Opens, said.
“I’ve had to work hard on my game the last two weeks – I chose not to play in Ireland or Scotland – and I’ve been working at it and making a couple of tweaks.
“I had enough good shots to feel like I’m making good progress but also there were a few loose ones to keep your head down and keep working hard.
“I’m a good player, I know I can compete at this level but I haven’t seen it much of late so it is hard to be superconfident.
“To be honest (I came in with) high intention, low expectation, but this is what I’ve been working towards really.”