HERE ROSE NOTHING

26 years after bursting onto the global stage at The Open, Justin is still determined to fulfill his dream and capture Claret Jug

- CRAIG SWAN

JUSTIN ROSE has never given up on the dream.

And while he made sure a toilet door didn't slam shut, he's keeping a long-awaited entrance to Open folklore wide open.

For 26 years, since that famous 1998 fourth-place as an amateur at Royal Birkdale, Rose has been a part of the Championship furniture.

He's got a Major, a US Open, an Olympic Gold Medal and famous Ryder Cup memories.

But he doesn't have a Claret Jug and it's the one he wants.

It's why, having not made it into the field automatically for a 22nd appearance, he took himself to Burnham & Berrow for Royal Troon qualifiers.

To get another chance to better his best finish of tied-second at Carnoustie in 2018.

When he holed his birdie putt on the last green last night to move to within two of leader Shane Lowry, the fist pump was from the heart.

The crowds roared it home.

Sure, he was Bob MacIntyre's partner in Rome to cement a relationship with Scots fans, but his commitment to just be here cements that respect and popularity.

Rose doesn't hide what it would mean Being the first English winner since Sir Nick Faldo at Muirfield in 1992 would mean a lot, just as backing-up Tony Jacklin in the US equivalent did at Merion in 2013.

But this is about the individual. English sport wants a success after last weekend's Euros final defeat to Spain, but Rose said: "No, I've got my own problems. We've got enough problems with football. I can't bring golf into it!