As Justin Rose returns to the venue where he announced himself to the golfing word, he does so fuelled by an ever-present enthusiasm for the game and a resolve to ensure there are more memories to be made.
In 1998, at the age of 17, the Englishman memorably holed out on the 18th at Royal Birkdale to finish in a tie for fourth and claim the Silver Medal as the low amateur.
While his start as a professional, which saw him miss his first 21 cuts, would have deterred most, he has since forged a career that has seen him become a Major winner, World Number One, become an Olympic Gold Medallist and a stalwart of Europe’s Ryder Cup team.
Rose, who turns 46 later this month, has seen it all and has beaten the very best along the way, but remains among the elite – emphasised by five top tens in his last ten Major appearances.
Among those are near misses at The Open in 2024 and back-to-back close calls at the Masters, with those experiences only driving his quest to write another chapter of success in his decorated career at this week's Open Championship.
"I feel like I'm really enjoying the challenge of staying elite with my game," he told media at a pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday.
"I'm really enjoying the opportunities and the moments I'm creating and the memories I'm creating through those moments.
Am I playing golf for the right moments? Am I creating memories? And are those memories worth the sacrifice?
"That's kind of my driver, whether that be holing a putt on a Friday at Ryder Cup or having chances to win major championships.
"So I'm trying to see it as moments. Am I playing golf for the right moments? Am I creating memories? And are those memories worth the sacrifice?
"Because as I get older, I think it's taking more of me. I'm having to be more disciplined than I've ever been to stay at the level of golf I want to be at, and I'm enjoying that challenge.
"I feel like I can keep pushing. I feel like I can keep going with that narrative as long as possible.
"Certainly in the moment I feel inspired, and yeah, I'm enjoying that challenge."
Long regarded for his work ethic, Rose has not added a Major to his 2013 U.S. Open victory.
His top five finish at The Open stood as his best finish for two decades before he finished runner-up to Francesco Molinari at Carnoustie in 2018, before another second-place finish at Royal Troon two years ago.
Despite his attachment to Birkdale, his record at the Southport venue since in 2008 and 2017 - where he made the cut but wasn't in contention - is one he'll want to change.
Such is his longevity and burning will to win, it is hard to imagine many not rooting for Rose as he makes his 23rd Open appearance.
Asked about his extraordinary resilience and where it continues to come from, he said: "I think underpinning the work ethic, you've got to keep a love for it.
"The minute you don't have a love for it, the work feels like work, and the minute the work feels like work, the motivation will soon dwindle. I think for me that's the biggest building block I need to have. The most important brick in the wall is do I still love it.
"Sometimes the simplest way for me to measure that is can I go play golf by myself in the evening, carry my own clubs, lengthening shadows, and have a good time.
"If the answer to that is yes, then I go, okay, well, that's a good start; now I can work hard. What are my goals? What do I still believe I can achieve?
"I'm always just pushing against myself really. I think that I'm always curious. I'm competitive. I still think "curious" and "competitive" are two good words to kind of keep me going.
"I'm not really sure what I'm capable of achieving, but I'm competitive, so I'm going to give it a go. I try to be very process driven as well. What are the areas of my game? What are the gaps that I can fill? And I still see plenty. So that's kind of motivating."
Rose hopes to play key role in 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare
Such is his continued form at the top echelons of the sport, Rose is hopeful he can maintain those levels to be a part of next year's Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in a playing capacity for an eighth time.
Next September, Luke Donald will bid to lead Europe to a third triumph over the United States of America in the biennial matchplay showpiece.
“My attitude to Ryder Cup is if I’m playing well enough, then you want to be on the team. Do you know what I mean?” he said.
“Pushing to make the team, making it a flat-out goal to make the team is not my primary objective. My primary objective is for the team to win, and I feel like if I’m playing well enough to earn points, then I want to be on the team.
“It’s all about for me to be in a spot where I can contribute to the team. Making the team is never my objective; it’s winning points for the team.
"That’s the only thing I think about when it gets close to being Ryder Cup time. Am I getting my game to the point where I can go and win points for the team.
“I feel like if that’s the case, then I’ll be on the team. So I don’t push to make the team; I push to be playing well enough to contribute to the team.”
