Justin Rose goes into his defence of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in a positive frame of mind as he tries to get back into the links mindset.
The Englishman won by two shots at Royal Aberdeen 12 months ago, and although the event has switched to Gullane for 2015, he believes many of the skills required remain unchanged.
As well as drawing on last year’s positive memories, the World Number Seven can take heart from some excellent recent form which has seen him win in New Orleans on the US PGA Tour and finish runner-up in the Masters Tournament and at the Memorial.
“Winning on a links course I think for the first time in my career - I view that as a big source of confidence in these next two weeks,” said Rose, who will head to The Open Championship at St Andrews next week.
“The photograph at the end, I had my family and my wife's family up here. It was just a great group shot at the end.
“I feel like every time I've played well this year, I've converted it into a top two finish.
“The US Open was probably the exception to that. I felt like I played well there and turned a 66 into a 72 each day.
“All in all, I feel like I'm going into the summer in a good place and playing well and looking forward to the tournaments coming up.
“I love this time of year. I feel like coming off the back of the US Open, we almost have a prolonged spell of links golf. It's quite weird to see the UK being much greener than the US.”
Among those trying to dethrone Rose this week is American Matt Kuchar, who was beaten by Rose and Henrik Stenson while partnering Bubba Watson in the Saturday fourballs during Europe’s Ryder Cup victory last year.
“It's good to be back,” said World Number 17 Kuchar.
“This area is great: I enjoy the golf, I enjoy the people, this area in particular has got some fantastic golf. I'm looking forward to a great week.
“I'm quite excited. Maybe as excited as I've been - I feel as if my game is in very good shape.
“I'm looking forward to playing and excited to be here, still on good form.”
