Justin Rose is relishing one of his favourite weeks of the year as he returns to his spiritual home of Wentworth for this week’s BMW PGA championship.
He is the US Open champion but for Rose, 33, the West Course at Wentworth is every bit as precious to him as his major title, which he will defend at Pinehurst in North Carolina next month.
The Hampshire club has not forgotten its favourite son, either, as Rose was guest of honour at the opening of the Justin Rose Room at the club last weekend.
He said: “Wentworth is a massive tournament for me. You’ve got the majors and maybe a world event or two but, for me, it’s right there with the best tournaments in the world.
“It’s one I used to watch with a backpack of sandwiches as an eight-year-old. I used to follow all the pros and they inspired me to come back and practice harder.”
At the weekend he returned to the course in Hampshire where he learned the game as a youngster, to open the new Justin Rose Room at North Hants Golf Club.
Rose said it has played a vital role in his development.
He added: “The great is not just coming back as a US Open champion but I also came back here after missing 21 successive cuts in 1998 and 1999, and I still had their support and encouragement and that’s what it means to me.
“I don’t realise how much I miss it until I get back. When I walk in here it’s literally my career and it’s a walk down memory lane. It’s fantastic.”
In 10 previous visits to the prestigious championship, Rose has twice finished second, including a play-off defeat to Denmark’s Anders Hansen in 2007.