Justin Rose produced a masterclass in winning as he reaffirmed his status as the form player heading into the 143rd Open Championship by completing an accomplished victory in the Scottish Open at the magnificent Royal Aberdeen.

Starting the final day tied for the lead alongside home favourite Marc Warren, the 2013 U.S. Open champion, who won the Quicken Loans National two weeks ago on the PGA Tour at Congressional, established his dominance in the early proceedings by making birdie on four of the opening six holes.

With morning rain clearing and light winds resulting in the Balgownie playing at its most defenceless, low scoring was a necessity to maintain position on the leaderboard.

And further low scores would be produced by the 33-year-old Englishman, with birdies coming on the ninth and 12th, before a succession of closing pars would fend off any hint of a challenge from Warren, or Sweden’s Kristoffer Broberg who finished in sole-possession of second.

For Rose, it was a week that quite literally got better and better. Opening with a 69, he followed that with a 68, before compiling a stunning weekend of 66 and 65. It was the performance of a player at his best, both technically and mentally.

His ball-striking and putting was simply majestic in the early stages, with a period of intelligent consolidation to follow once the heavy work had been done. When he did make a mistake, which was rare, he recovered immaculately to complete a final round that seemingly looked effortless.

The ample Scottish crowds, who flocked to this wonderful old course certainly appreciated what they were witnessing.

“It was exactly the start I was looking for, and 16 was the key. I looked at the leaderboard and I was only two ahead and felt I was bound to make bogey there. Getting it up-and-down was the key to the win,” Rose said.

Having won two successive events for the first time in his career, Rose will now be aiming to follow Phil Mickelson’s example in claiming a Claret Jug after winning the week prior in Scotland.

"I thought I would try and do a Phil this year and put it on my schedule. So far so good,” he added.

"I've won two in a row now so I've put the pressure on myself. There's no-one to blame but me. It's uncharted territory for me, I've never won two in a row before, never mind three.

"It's unbelievable to be back in the winners' circle so quickly but right now I am feeling great. I don't feel the two wins have taken a lot out of me. I feel that I've taken it in my stride.”

It would be a monumental achievement to win three consecutive events, particularly with the third being golf’s most storied championship. But Rose is a player who you feel is now in the peak of his career, this is his time. Battle hardened by the early struggles in his professional, and now reaping the rewards of his admirable work ethic and determination.

"The Open is going to come around quickly so tonight is going to be calm and relaxed. I will enjoy the moment but my mind will definitely be back in the game as of tomorrow.

“This a great tournament - there’s definitely something special about playing golf up here and the golfing crowd are so knowledgeable and I’ve really got to love this golf course.”

Royal Aberdeen certainly proved to be a fantastic venue, offering a testing traditional links challenge that will set up those who competed perfectly ahead of next week’s examination at Hoylake. For defending champion Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy, who all produced final rounds in the 60s, the opportunity to compete on the seaside may prove to be a vital element as they seek to have their name engraved on the Claret Jug.

Rose will wake up on Monday morning as the third ranked player in the world, and that is a position that may be further improved in seven days on the west coast of England.

Runner-up Broberg, Tyrrell Hatton and Scott Jamieson all ensured that they will be joining Rose in the field at Royal Liverpool with top ten finishes, and they will go into the week with confidence. As will Stephen Gallacher, who shot a course record equalling round of 63 on Sunday to give his Ryder Cup hopes an added boost.

There were many subplots to this tremendous week on the north-east coast of Scotland, with Justin Rose being the headline entry.

And he may yet produce another eye-catching performance next week in golf’s most historic event.

The Open Championship is upon us.