Justin Rose focused on 'happy hunting ground' at the Masters

Justin Rose will draw on the positive memories from last year's Masters rather than dwell on "what might have been" as he looks to atone for his play-off defeat to Sergio Garcia.

Rose arrives at Augusta National this week as one of the strong favourites to contend for the Green Jacket he came so close to clinching 12 months ago, when he was undone by an inspired Garcia comeback down the stretch before the Spaniard claimed his maiden major with a birdie at the first extra hole.

The Englishman admitted he was licking his wounds in the weeks afterwards, but he will attempt to block the disappointment out of his mind and focus on his excellent Masters record, with two runner-up finishes among his five top-10 finishes while he has never missed the halfway cut in 12 appearances.

"It starts by just driving up Magnolia Lane and feeling good and having good energy and feeling good about the place. That sort of love affair started my very first Masters in 2003," said Rose at his pre-tournament press conference. "So I had positive experiences here, and it's become a happy hunting ground.

"And I think over the years as well I've really dedicated myself to amassing knowledge of the golf course, keeping notes and carrying those notes forward year on year. And you learn the pin placements, I suppose, it's key around here and the strategy to them.

"I really have positive and fond memories of last year. I hit a lot of great shots, and I don't feel like it was a tournament that anybody lost really. It was great to be a part of an exciting back nine on Sunday with birdies and eagles. It was just one of those situations where one guy was going to lose.

"So I really don't feel bad about it whatsoever, but whenever you lose a play-off in a major, it's one of those moments that you look back on and think what might have been.

"And to be honest, I haven't watched it back. There's no need really. It was just a putt or two, making a key putt or two down the stretch. I did everything right, did everything well last year. To win championships you need to make a key putt at the right time, and that's what didn't happen last year."

Rose also paid tribute to close friend Ian Poulter after he booked the final place on offer at the Masters with his thrilling victory at the Houston Open on Sunday, edging out Beau Hossler at the first play-off hole.

"It was a really fun week for me last week," Rose added. "I got the chance to play with Ian on Saturday and I haven't played with him for along long time. Maybe the Ryder Cup was last time I played with him on a golf course in a meaningful round.

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"I was impressed with his game, and he's been telling me for a while that he's been playing well and just the putter just hasn't been quite his best friend. But we all know clearly when he gets going with the putter, it's fun to watch.

"I love his reactions. I mean, on Sunday, that putt on 18 (to force a play-off), I was actually just landing, and we lost wifi as we were coming into land, so at the critical moment. I hadn't quite figured out what happened and then saw the replay, and it was classic Poulter. I'm really pleased for him."