It may be only a month since Justin Rose captured ther US Open but the Englishman has quickly sought to move on and focus on adding a second Major Championship to his golfing CV.

Rose first burst onto the international stage in brilliant manner by holing a chip shot at the final hole to secure fourth place in the 1998 Open at Royal Birkdale.

He then just 17 years of age and tomorrow at age 32 Rose will step onto the first tee in his 12th Open Championship looking to become the first golfer since Padraig Harrington to win back-to-back Majors.

However while Rose has found himself being asked to sign Merion memorbilia, and reminders of his stunning US Open success, the Englishman wants to move on with a hopeful second Major here at Muirfield.

Justin Rose in upbeat mood ahead of the 142nd Open Championship. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

“I’m here off the back of my first Major, making it even more special and exciting than normal,” explained Rose.

“I feel very grateful to have that [Major] monkey off my back with a long time ahead of me in the game still. The other part is more demands on your time, people wanting your autograph, asking questions. The well wishes are great. But the challenge is to be staying in this tournament, not being dragged back to Merion every five minutes.

“If I’m left alone on the golf course, just me and my caddie, it’s pretty easy for me to focus on what I need to. Outside distractions prevent you doing that. When you’re playing a tournament, you’re in a controlled environment and it’s business as usual. I’m hoping to click back into all the habits I’ve built over the years that have produced good golf.

“I’ve had three weeks off, the idea being just to get my legs back under me and be 100 per cent ready to play again, getting my hunger back to want to be on the range and practice. The freshness and the break will serve me well.”

But the fact is that becoming a Major winner has brought changes, big and small, public and private.

“Being invited into the Royal Box at Wimbledon was the obvious perk,” smiled Rose.

“I’ve pretty much carried the trophy around with me for the past month, sharing it with friends and family and people who have known me since I was 12 years old. Now they get a chance to have a picture with the US Open trophy. Or be able to have dinner with it sitting on the table. That’s what makes it special. I haven’t been doing anything crazy or elaborate, and that’s what I’ve enjoyed the most about it.”

The fact is that his best Open remains the one which made his name, at Birkdale in 1998, when as a 17-year-old amateur he holed from the rough at the last to finish in a tie for fourth.

“That’s a little bit surprising, sure,” agreed Rose. “The stats don’t read that well. My results really don’t look very good in this tournament. But I would say the reality is a little bit better. I was so close to being right in the hunt at Turnberry in 2009.

“Here in 2002 I was tied third going into the last round. Just a little bit young and needed a lot more experience under my belt. So that’s a situation I’d relish this year. I see no reason why I shouldn’t do well here.”

And what if it is his name engraved on the Claret Jug come Sunday?

“Obviously with the US Open trophy you get your name engraved on it yourself so I’m hoping for a two-for-one deal here. A discount for bulk.”