Rose eyeing first PGA title

Former top European looking for a way into next month's Masters

Last updated: 18th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rose eyeing first PGA title

Rose: Winless in 150 starts

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Justin Rose has two goals ahead of this week's Transitions Championship in Florida - to win for the first time on the PGA Tour, or, failing that, book a place in the Masters field.

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The former European number one returned to form with a third place finish in the Honda Classic two weeks ago following a final round of 64.

That took the 29-year-old back up to 59th in the world rankings, with the top 50 guaranteed a place in the line-up at Augusta next month.

Rose has pocketed around $10m during his career in America but is still without a win in 150 tour starts.

But the Englishman would love to get the monkey off his back with the season's first major championship just round the corner.

"I've played good enough golf to win out here," he said. "I've been close a few times. Sometimes winning just gets in the way without you trying too hard - it's felt like it's been a bit of a battle.

"If I can just maintain the direction I'm going I certainly believe it will happen.

"The whole pressure of the PGA Tour, all of the extraneous stuff that you shouldn't really think about or pay attention to, creeps into your mind-set.

"The more you can get rid of all that stuff, your true ability can come out. That's what I'm working on - just trying to keep it simple - and if I can go out there with that mentality I know that my best golf will come out."

Close friend and world number six Ian Poulter believes Rose has the game to succeed on the PGA Tour.

"It would be good to see him get back into the top 50 and into the Masters," he said. "I know that's why he has been playing a busy schedule and he's obviously playing well.

"His place in the world rankings is not reflective of the type of player he is."