Justin Rose used to be rewarded with chocolate or toys for good performances as a young golfer, but now he wants to turn his childhood dreams into reality by lifting the Claret Jug.
The 34-year-old is the highest-ranked home player in this week's 144th Open at St Andrews - eighth in the world - and is aiming to become the first Englishman to win the game's oldest major since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992.
His best finish in 13 appearances remains his debut as an amateur in 1998 when he tied for fourth as fresh-faced 17-year-old, but Rose is determined to realise his long-held ambition of becoming an Open champion.
"It would mean the world. It would be a realisation of a lot of childhood dreams and hard work," said the 2013 US Open champion.
"Obviously growing up this is the one tournament that I dreamed of winning.
"My dad used to encourage me to get out there and play and set little targets and goals and keep me interested, whether it be a Mars bar on the way home or a train set at the end of the year.
"I had a lot of confidence in myself and belief that I was going to go on and be a professional golfer.
"I used to pose my follow-through in the garden in the reflection of the window and pretend it was the front cover of a magazine.
"I kind of had it in my mind always about where I wanted to go with it - Ryder Cups and major championships.
"In the quiet moments where you'd spend hour after hour on the putting green at your home club I'd say 'This one for The Open', 'This one to win the Ryder Cup'.
"It's nice to be here as the top-ranked British player and someone with a legitimate chance to go on and win it.
"It's nice to have sort of made the most of those dreams."
"Being a little less hyped, potentially, I think that's a good thing," Rose said.
"I've been in this situation a number of times, so it's not new on me.
"I probably have to do a better job of taking on that feeling of getting the crowd behind me or using their energy in a better way. Maybe that just comes down to getting off to a good start and then all of a sudden people are behind you. That could be the difference.
"I actually learned a lot at the Scottish Open last week on the weekend. My scores were terrible but I actually didn't play that badly so there was nothing for me to worry about."
He will certainly not struggle for crowds on Thursday and Friday after being drawn alongside Fowler and Sir Nick Faldo, who plays in his 37th and final Open.
It is sure to be an emotional send-off for the three-time Open champion but Rose is confident he can isolate himself from the circus which will surround it.
"I think it's quite easy if you think about yourself as a contender," he said.
"There's a lot to focus on. Nick in his heyday was very focused and he won't be expecting me or Rickie to be anything but that for ourselves
"Six major championships - he has been far and away the most successful (English) player.
"I'm really looking forward to have the opportunity to play with him."
"Being a little less hyped, potentially, I think that's a good thing," Rose said.
"I've been in this situation a number of times, so it's not new on me.
"I probably have to do a better job of taking on that feeling of getting the crowd behind me or using their energy in a better way. Maybe that just comes down to getting off to a good start and then all of a sudden people are behind you. That could be the difference.
"I actually learned a lot at the Scottish Open last week on the weekend. My scores were terrible but I actually didn't play that badly so there was nothing for me to worry about."
He will certainly not struggle for crowds on Thursday and Friday after being drawn alongside Fowler and Sir Nick Faldo, who plays in his 37th and final Open.
It is sure to be an emotional send-off for the three-time Open champion but Rose is confident he can isolate himself from the circus which will surround it.
"I think it's quite easy if you think about yourself as a contender," he said.
"There's a lot to focus on. Nick in his heyday was very focused and he won't be expecting me or Rickie to be anything but that for ourselves
"Six major championships - he has been far and away the most successful (English) player.
"I'm really looking forward to have the opportunity to play with him."
