BURST to prominence at the The Open Championship in 1988, famously pitching in at Royal Birkdale's final hole to tie for fourth while still an amateur.

Won the prestigious Hampshire Hog trophy in 1994 and lowered his handicap to plus three, at age 14, in the same year. Played in the 1997 Walker Cup at 17 years and ten days, turning professional the day after his Birkdale heroics.

Found life on the European Tour tough at first, missing his first 21 cuts but successfully came through Tour School in 2000 to earn the respect of seasoned tour campaigners and established himself the following year by finishing 33rd on the Order Of Merit.

His career really took off in 2002 when he won his maiden title, capturing the Dunhill Championship in Johannesburg, the city of his birth. Went on to win the Nashua Masters title in South Africa and the Crowns Tournament in Japan before winning the British Masters and breaking into the world's top 40.

Despite his on course successes, Rose suffered personal tragedy in 2002 with the death of his father, Ken, who died of leukaemia. Set up the Ken Rose Foundation in his father's memory to aid the recovery and care of leukaemia sufferers.

Finished tied for fifth in the 2003 US Open and reached number 33 in the Official World Golf Rankings before moving to Florida and taking up membership of the US PGA Tour in 2004. Won more than $1m in prize money but started to slide down the world rankings.

Banked seven figures again in 2005 but by the middle of 2006 had fallen out of the world's top 125.

However, once again turned his fortunes around by landing three top-four finishes in the second half of the season and ended his winless run with victory in the European Tour's Mastercard Masters in November. Married fiancee Kate the following month.

Continued his good form in 2007, finishing tied fifth in the US Masters and was in contention to win this month's US Open.

Has won more than $6m on US soil and is now ranked 18 in the world. Will be among the favourites for The Open Championship at Carnoustie next month and is tipped to be the first English major winner since Nick Faldo's triumph in the US Masters 11 years ago.

NAME: Justin Peter Rose.

OCCUPATION: Professional golfer.

DATE OF BIRTH: July 30, 1980 LOCAL LINK: Lived at Hook with his parents after they moved to England from Johannesburg when he was five, learning the game at Hartley Wintney and then North Hants Golf Club.