Rose is ready to bloom at Masters

11:36am Thursday 10th April 2008

JUSTIN Rose feels ready to win his first major championship.

Having been in with a real chance of winning at Augusta with two holes to play last season, the north Hampshire golfing ace goes into the Masters this week with renewed confidence.

Standing on the 17th tee in the final round last year, Rose was just one shot off the lead.

As it turned out, two birdies would have won him the tournament, but an errant tee shot led to him carding a double-bogey at 17 and he eventually finished in a tie for fifth, three shots behind winner Zach Johnson.

While bitterly disappointed at the time, Rose went on to have a tremendous 2007, finishing in the top 12 at all four major championships and winning the European Order of Merit.

This success has given the 27-year-old a massive shot of confidence.

"Last year was a big step forward for me in terms of believing that I can go ahead and win a major," he said. "If the chance comes around again, I think I could close it out. I feel ready to win the big one now.

"I come in to the Masters maybe expecting to do better and I guess what I've got to manage is my expectations - how relaxed I feel and how much pressure I put on myself."

While the par 72 Augusta National course in Georgia, the venue for the Masters, is generally accepted as being one of the toughest in the world, it seems to suit Rose.

The former Robert May's pupil has only competed in the event on three occasions, but has twice led the field after 36 holes.

"I always feel like I've had a good time at Augusta," he said.

"I've got my name on the leaderboard two out of the three times I've played it - that's valuable experience.

"This is the kind of golf course that you learn from, whether you have a good or bad day. It gets easier and easier the more times you're in contention."

Rose admitted that he enjoys playing at Augusta, but has to be careful not to get over-awed by his surroundings.

"It's always a pleasure to be back," he said.

"Unlike a regular tournament, I go to Augusta a week before, on the Tuesday or Wednesday, just to get the wow factor over with.

"It's still a place you can be in awe of, so I like to get there early and play a couple of rounds just to reacquaint myself with the shots that will be needed."

Rose has followed the same practice pattern as last year - playing nine holes on Tuesday using just wedges and a putter in order to improve his touch around Augusta's slick and sloping greens.

"My preparation differs from other events because I'm focusing on specific shots," the world number nine explained.

"It's a routine that serves me well at the majors, where the premium is around the greens and especially here at Augusta.

"That's the part of the golf course that is really the most different to general play."

Rose's challenge for the Masters, which has a total prize purse of $7million, will begin at 3.56pm (BST) today, when he tees off for his opening round alongside Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Toru Taniguchi of Japan.

The trio will begin their second round at 7.03pm (BST) tomorrow.

Looking back on last year, Rose said he felt comfortable throughout, but just could not produce his best golf when it really mattered.

"I was actually surprised at how much I was able to enjoy the moment, how calm I felt and how much belief I had," he said.

"I thought I was going to do something special, but the 17th cost me.

"If you're going to win a tournament you've got to hit the right shots at the right time, and it just didn't happen there."