It is ten years since Justin Rose was first sent out to play alongside Tiger Woods at The Open with an emotional speech by his father still ringing in his ears.

Within two months Ken Rose had lost his battle with leukaemia but the words he uttered on the eve of that first round at Muirfield with the then world number one have stayed with the Englishman.

The Ryder Cup star tees off with Woods tomorrow morning for a fourth time at The Open and is much more comfortable in the American's company.

But it is his late father's speech from 2002 which remains a more familiar companion on the course.

''It was a big deal: Tiger was at his peak, I'd just had a hot summer and I was a young kid I was thrown into the deep end,'' said the 31-year-old.

''My dad gave me a great speech on the Wednesday night, he must have been pretty sick at the time, and what he said put it into perspective for me.

''He talked about what we'd dealt with as a family and stepping on to the first tee to play with Tiger paled into significance by comparison - that really helped me.

''I can use that speech even now as motivation, any time I am coming down the stretch in contention it is an exciting prospect, not daunting at all.

''The hard things in life come in other areas - maybe I can use that week as inspiration.

''Time is a great healer. He is always in my mind but dad taught me enough to make my own decisions, don't regret anything, which is a nice place to be.

''But it would be nice if he were here to share the moment.''

Rose is a father to three-year-old Leo and Charlotte, born in January, and he admits the distractions they provide help him balance life off the course.

''There are times when you should practice and you want family time and vice-versa,'' he added.

''I've had to really find ways to manage my time, so I give it 100% when at the course and leave it alone 100% when not there.

''I like the perspective it has given me but I still want it (to win) as bad, I'm still as passionate but the way I look at it is bad days at the office are not as bad any more.''

Rose famously shot to fame as a 17-year-old amateur when he chipped on at the last at Birkdale to secure fourth place.

Having immediately turned professional big things were expected but he feels only recently - he won his first World Golf Championship event earlier this year - has he grown into a genuine contender.

''I remember my old coach Nick Bradley saying at 28 that I'd play my best golf at 30 onwards and thinking 'That's the last thing I want to hear, should I give up until I am 30?'

''But I'm a lot more mature now, I'm close to crossing the finishing line in majors and have put a good strategy in place - his words have proved wise ones.''

  • Justin Rose was speaking at the premiere of TaylorMade Presents: Outside The Ropes - a new film that reveals the physical, mental and technological preparation of today's elite golfers. To find out more about the film visit www.taylormadegolf.eu.