JUSTIN Rose was left to curse a bad day with the putter as he threw away a three-shot lead on the final day of the Travelers Championship.

The north Hampshire golfer was on course for his second US PGA Tour victory of the season – but it all went wrong during the final round at TPC River Highlands, in Connecticut.

Rose carded a five-over-par round of 75, which included four bogeys and a double bogey at the par four 15th, to go from three shots clear at the top of the leaderboard to a four-way tie for ninth – three shots behind eventual winner Bubba Watson, who claimed victory in a play-off.

Speaking afterwards, the former Robert May’s School pupil was unable to hide his disappointment.

“It was obviously mine to lose,” he said. “I could have shot one-over-par today and won the golf tournament – so it’s disappointing.

“It’s hard to play golf when you feel you’re going to miss every putt from two feet. I was just that uncomfortable on the greens today.

“Getting it in the hole seemed impossible today. My putting is hot and cold.”

Earlier in the week, an opening round of 64 (-6), which included five straight birdies on the back nine, had left Rose tied for the lead after day one.

He found himself four shots clear after a second round of 62 (-8), having enjoyed another run of five birdies over the closing holes.

A third round of 68 (-2) saw the 29-year-old’s lead reduced to three shots – and he was unable to hold on.

The result leaves Rose ranked 35 in the world, while he is 14th in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings. He is in action again this weekend at the AT&T National in Pennsylvania, which starts today, but is still not sure of his place at The Open.

Rose was due to play in local final qualifying on Tuesday but withdrew as he looks likely to claim one of two spots on offer from a US Tour current form money list, which ends this weekend.

However, Rickie Fowler, Ricky Barnes and Davis Love could all pass him with top two finishes at the AT&T National.