Justin Rose has revealed his dream of celebrating a glorious family double. He wants to be the winner of a golf major and see his baby son, Leo, grow up to become Wimbledon tennis champion.

Speaking about his new role as a family man, Rose said he hoped he would be hailed a hero by Leo just as his own late father, Ken, was his personal shining light.

And while the former European No1 and Ryder Cup star would be delighted if Leo followed him onto the fairways, 28-year-old Rose would be even more pleased if the lad decided he was happier with a racket in his hand rather than a nine iron.

Rose, who on Thursday challenges for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, said: "Tennis is a game that I love as well as golf and for purely athletic reasons I'd love to see Leo play tennis.

"If I was to just fantasise about something, then him being Wimbledon champion would probably be the coolest thing for me.

"Obviously, he's got to show an aptitude to want to do it. But my wife, Kate, was an international gymnast so hopefully he's got her athletic genes and my hand-eye coordination."

That coordination has been out of sync just recently, with Rose slipping from a career-high sixth in the world rankings to lie 38th going into the PGA, the European Tour's flagship tournament.

But just as he wants to serve as an inspiration to Leo, so Rose believes the 12-week-old could inspire him to claim a maiden major, possibly in the Open Championship at Turnberry in July.

Rose said: "A kid can be such a powerful influence on your career. He helps you get things into perspective.

"To be completely switched on at golf I need an outlet to get away from it, too. If I'm 24/7 golf it doesn't do me any favours. I need to be mentally fresh to play my best and there is nothing like a young kid to take your attention elsewhere.

"That can be a real positive in my life."

In truth, Rose is already one of the most positive sportsmen you are likely to meet. It is a facet of his character that first became evident just over 10 summers ago at Royal Birkdale.

It was there that a gangling, ruddy-cheeked teenage amateur captured the heart of a nation when he chipped in at the last to finish a stupendous fourth and then flashed a smile to the cheering galleries that was as wide as a bunker.

That Rose was to remain a paragon of positive thought as his foray into the professional game began with the frustration of 21 successive missed cuts was a tribute to the upbringing he received from Ken, his father, mentor and closest friend.

He remained admirably strong for his family in 2002 when Ken finally lost a battle against leukaemia. Now his fervent hope is that Leo inherits some of that positive strength and more.

Rose said: "I want my son to grow up with good values and good morals because that's what I feel I was given.

"You know, I really look up to my dad. Obviously, he's not with us any more but I feel like he was my hero. That is such a powerful feeling, to have someone like that in your life and that's what I want to be able to give to my son."

It is almost inevitable that the young, budding Rose will show the same physical prowess as his parents. Justin, who keeps a home in London but is now based mainly in Florida, said: "As a kid I really loved sport, it kept me out of loads of trouble.

"And I'd love to see Leo be a sportsman, not necessarily at a professional level but as a kid an involvement in sport is a great way to grow up.

"It will also give us a great chance to bond. Take late evenings on the practice ground. If I want to hit a few balls and work on my game, he can bring his little set of clubs and join me. It would be a great father-son time and I'm really looking forward to that."

Unfortunately, if Rose's personal life is nigh-on perfect, his golf game is currently far from it. So far this year he has scored just one top-15 finish, taking second to Rory McIlroy in the Dubai Desert Classic back in February.

That was the first tournament that Rose wielded TaylorMade's new R9 driver. He said: "Historically, driving has been the weakest element of my game. But I'm now so comfortable with the R9 that driving is the one thing I feel comfortable with.

"Of course, it's sod's law that having got my driving straight, everything else has gone a little 'iffy'. There hasn't been a problem I could put my finger on, it's just been a little bit of inconsistency.

"Off the course I've had a lot going on, what with the birth of Leo. That was fantastic but maybe my head space just hasn't been with it, as I was when I was playing great.

"Now, it is as though something inside me is saying 'okay, I'm ready. I'm up for it, so let's turn it around'. I'm feeling that little bit of excitement again. I feel rejuvenated."

* Justin Rose is playing with the new TaylorMade R9 this season, the world's first fully adjustable driver. To find out more, go to www.taylormadegolf.eu

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