“I felt like I went out and I shot the second lowest score of the day on Sunday. Obviously I got beaten by Xander who played an amazing round of golf, and we were kind of toe-to-toe right through the round until he had a golden half an hour where he stretched away, and that was it.
“I had everything available to me to win. That does kind of keep you believing and obviously that gives me a lot of hope coming back into this week and future Opens, as well.”
While Rose has four Open top-10 finishes to his name, at the Masters he has seven – including three runners-up finishes and, after this year, two defeats in a play-off.
Rose was outstanding at Augusta in April and shot a last-day 66 to force a play-off with Rory McIlroy, but was ultimately beaten on the first extra hole.
He has missed the cut at the PGA Championship and US Open but feels ready at Royal Portrush this week.
“As a kid, on the putting green since I’ve been playing the game since probably age eight, I’ve been dreaming about winning The Open,” he said.
“1998 obviously was a fairytale story and ending to my amateur career, and really the next place from there was to go ahead and try to win it, obviously.
“I’ve been close a couple times, but it’s an incredible tournament, like I said. As a British player, it’s been the one that I’ve dreamed about winning and holed the putt many times in my mind.
“I think there’s a lot of birdie opportunities on this course as well. It does give up some birdies. I think you need to be positive.“You need to go out there, as tough as it is in places, you do have to get on the front foot and maybe there’s certain holes you need to take advantage on. It’s a great mix.”
By the time Rose approaches the back nine on Thursday, alongside Robert MacIntyre and Bryson DeChambeau as one of the afternoon’s Featured Groups, Scott will likely be finishing his round.