Close calls have Rose confident

2008-04-08

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By John Nestor PA SportsTicker Golf Editor

AUGUSTA, Georgia (Ticker) - Justin Rose nearly won The Masters ayear ago. A little older and more experienced, he is back tofinish the job this time around.

Rose has held the lead after the first or second round threetimes in his previous three appearances. He was in contentionlast year on Sunday but wilted a bit down the stretch andfinished tied for fifth.

Now Rose is looking to capture his first major title. He iscoming off a stellar season on the European Tour - he won twiceand led the Order of Merit - and is looking to fulfill thepromise he started to show 10 years ago.

"It''s always a pleasure to be back here, especially after lastyear being my best-ever finish here at Augusta," Rose said."I''ve been excited to get back here for the last few months forsure."

It was at the British Open at Royal Birkdale where Rose burst onthe scene in 1998. He chipped in on 18 to finish fourth as a17-year-old. He turned pro the next day and the learningprocess began.

Rose missed the cut in his first 24 events as a professional andit took a while for him to snap out of it. He posted his firstvictory in 2002 and added a second later that season. He didnot win again until 2007 in a season that was a breakthrough inmore ways than one.

He finished no worse that 12th in each of the four majors andnow comes to Augusta knowing what it takes to contend.

"I think the experiences I''ve had here at Augusta have beenpowerful experiences," Rose said. "I''ve had good experiences andbad experiences and you learn from both, and that''s the key.

"Last year I felt very comfortable in the hunt all week, really,from day one, I was on the leaderboard, and I felt comfortablewith that situation and position and, enjoyed it. Certainly Ithink the biggest thing about winning a major is believing youcan, and last year was key for me in terms of making that stepup, really."

But aside from believing on oneself, a player has to be preparedto contend, it just does not happen by accident. Rose seems tohave this area covered as well.

He spent a good 2 1/2 hours on the course on Tuesday with justthree clubs - a sand wedge, lob wedge and putter. They could bethe three keys to a breakthrough victory if Augusta''s greensare as ferocious as usual.

"It''s a routine that serves me well, especially in the majors,the premium to me is around the greens" Rose said. "Especiallyhere at Augusta National. I think that''s the part that is reallythe most different to generally what we face week-in andweek-out."

Last year, Rose came to The Masters nursing a back injury andafter a prolonged break. Healthy and playing pretty well, he isin a good place with his game and mindset, but is mindful ofmaking sure he does not get to far ahead of himself.

"Last year, I was strangely relaxed because I had noexpectations, no pressure," Woods said. "I was coming off sixweeks off and I had no idea how the week was going to pan out.

"I guess that''s what actually played in my favor last year, andthis year, obviously I come in maybe expecting to do better andI guess that''s the thing I''ve got to manage is my expectationsand how relaxed I feel and how much pressure I put on myself."

Because as Rose found out last year, there is more than enoughpressure to go around at Augusta National.