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Rose aiming to dodge thorns on way to Masters victory

11/04/2008

Justin Rose believes he can maintain his challenge for the 2008 Masters title after earning a share of the lead after the first round at Augusta.

The Englishman signed for a 68 on the first day, putting him atop the leaderboard alongside South Africa's Trevor Immelman.

It is the third time in the last four years Rose has put himself into position to challenge for the title with the best round on the first day's play at the Masters, but he claims this year he is better prepared than ever to cope with the pressure of an early lead.

"The more times you're up there the more comfortable you begin to feel and the easier it becomes," 27-year-old Rose explained.

"Hopefully this year I'll give myself chances and what I learned last year will help me finish the job off a little better."

Rose is used to the pressure of top-level tournament play after he won the 2007 European Tour Order of Merit title by claiming victory in the end-of-season Volvo Masters, pipping an inactive Ernie Els to the title.

And the Englishman said he believes that event put him under more pressure than he will feel if he is still in contention at the Masters on Sunday.

"I won a tournament with the Order of Merit on the line. There was possibly more pressure than I've ever played under and I came through and did the business," he said.

"What I've learnt is that there are 54 holes left and you've got to stay in the moment right until the back nine on Sunday. Then you have to see how you stack up."