Rose led the Masters at halfway in 2004 before a third-round 81

Rose, 26, who has not played since mid-February because of a bad back, slumped to a third-round 81 to ruin his challenge three years ago.

But he is now ranked 34 in the world and says he is a "different" player.

"Those powerful experiences are when you learn the most. Being fresh might help and I'm really excited," he said.

"My energy levels are going through the roof. This place requires a lot of patience and if you're at the end of your tether it's not a good tournament to be playing at.

"I've got every ability to be as patient as everybody out there this week."

You've got to set yourself up to go out there and do some damage Justin Rose

Rose fired 67 to surge to a two-shot first-round lead on his second visit to Augusta in 2004, and backed it up with 71 to stay clear at halfway.

But a miserable third round saw him plummet down the leaderboard before salvaging some pride with a 71.

"Leading proved to me I've got what it takes to play this course well, and that my game suits it," he said. "But the third round was very important as a learning curve as well.

"What I really figured out is that this course requires so much patience, but that day I got off to a bad start and I tried to force it a bit too much. This course will punish you if you try to do that.

"But all round my game is so much better. I'm so much more experienced and so much more confident and a completely different player."

606: DEBATE Is Rose a potential winner?

Since then, the South African-born Rose has consolidated and honed his game on the US Tour.

He finished 2006 in superb fashion, narrowly missing out on a maiden PGA Tour win before clinching the Australian Masters on a rare return to the European Tour.

He also came third in the Bob Hope Classic in January, and beat Masters champion Phil Mickelson in the WGC Match Play in February in his last event before injury.

And he insists he is not at Augusta to smell the flowers.

"You've got to push yourself," he said. "It's so easy to get in a comfort zone believing top 10s in majors are good.

"They are ultimately, but that's not your mindset on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. You've got to set yourself up to go out there and do some damage."