The thing is, I just love links golf

Ernie Els goes into the Open at St Andrews as world number three, a three-time major champion and a triple winner this year.

But he agonisingly missed out on all four major championships last year and struggled in both the Masters and US Open this term.

His biggest heartache in 2004 was finishing second in the Open at Royal Troon after being pipped in a play-off by unsung American Todd Hamilton.

The South African told BBC Sport of his mindset ahead of the 27th Open over the Old Course.

Ernie, how do you explain your disappointing major performances this year, and what have you been working on since the US Open to be ready for St Andrews?

Well, I wasn't feeling great at the Masters. I'd had flu the week before and wasn't quite back to my normal self. I didn't play well, to be honest with you. At the US Open, it just wasn't my week.

Obviously my game hasn't been where I want it to be this past couple of months, but you've just got to work your way through it, which is what I'm trying to do.

I'm looking forward to St Andrews, though. I've played well there before and I feel like I've got a great chance.

What does St Andrews mean to you, why have you got such a good record there, and what are the specific challenges the Old Course presents?

It's a special place. I mean, you feel it as soon as you arrive. The whole history of the Old Course - it really hits you. As you say, I've got a pretty good record in the British. The thing is, I just love links golf.

TOUR OF ST ANDREWS The origins of the Old Course and St Andrews landmarks. In pictures

I feel comfortable on this type of golf course; it suits my game. As always, a lot depends on the weather.

It's the sort of golf course where you need to be patient - you know, keep the ball out of trouble and take your chances when you can.

If it's blowing a gale it's harder to stay out of trouble.

Ken Brown on the Old Course

But on a calm day, you can plot your way round. You maybe just need to give yourself a bit more margin for error, because the ball runs for ever on those fairways and you need to allow for the odd bad bounce.

How much will the Troon play-off miss inspire you for this year?

It's really not a factor. I played a great back nine on Sunday and missed a 10-footer to win. Then Todd beat me fair and square in a play-off.

That's all there is to it. Obviously it was disappointing at the time, but you have to try to take the positives out of it.

How much does the memory of the 2004 majors play on your mind? How much does it worry you that, on the mental side, you weren't able to finish any of them off?

It doesn't. Like I just said, at the Open I missed a 10-footer to win. Obviously I wish I'd holed it, but what else is there to say about it?

You know, any time you have a chance to win and you don't you're going to be disappointed.

You try to learn from these experiences, but there's no sense dwelling on things you might have done or might not have done. It's history.

What drives you these days? Would you be satisfied with your career if it was all over tomorrow?

Well, I hope my career isn't over tomorrow! But yeah, I guess I'd have to be satisfied with what I've achieved.

But I don't want to stop here. I want to win the Grand Slam and I've got a lot of other goals. I just love the competition, to be honest with you. That's what drives me.

How do you feel about the current top four/five rivalry in golf?