Precision driving the key to Birkdale, says Rose

By Tony Jimenez

SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - Accuracy off the tee will be paramount at this week's British Open, world number nine Justin Rose said on Wednesday.

"It's almost as good a driving test as a U.S. Open would be," the 27-year-old Briton told reporters on the eve of the third major of the season. "You certainly need to drive the ball well.

"I think it is more of a test off the tee than possibly it was in the past. It's a great course."

Ten years ago, Rose stunned the golf world with a grandstand finish at Royal Birkdale, chipping in on the final hole to tie for fourth place and win the silver medal as the leading amateur.

Birkdale was buffeted by strong winds on Wednesday and if those conditions remain for Thursday's opening round as forecast, Rose said it would become a brutal examination.

BRUTALLY TOUGH

"If it blows like this tomorrow, it will really just be a matter of survival," the Englishman added. "It is brutally tough.

"It feels like the course as a whole has got a lot more teeth to it."

But Rose added the 7,173-yard, par-70 layout on the north-west coast of England offered him a good opportunity to shine.

"I feel like I'm swinging the club well, hitting the ball well and I'm very comfortable on the course," he said. "I've got to say it gives me a decent chance.

"I think this week is all about me going out and trusting my game and trusting the fact I've matured a lot. I guess going out there with the intent to do it rather than with the hope to do it as I did in 1998.

"I want to just prepare hard, play hard and hopefully that's what does the trick for me, not just thinking this place is a magical wonderland for me and it's going to happen anyway."

(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)