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Rose close to Order of Merit

03/11/2007

England's Justin Rose led the Volvo Masters by four strokes at the end of the third round in Valderrama today.

If Rose was to hold on to the lead and lift the title tomorrow he will be crowned the European Order of Merit winner for the first time. But he will have to be aware of the threat of Open champion Padraig Harrington who is in second place.

Both players hit rounds of 71, but Rose looked to have blown his four-shot second-round lead early on when he dropped three shots in the opening two holes. Harrington hit a birdie on the first hole to cut the lead at the top to just one stroke.

But the 27-year-old redeemed himself to secure birdies on the eight, tenth and 11th and maintain his four-stroke lead with which he started the day.

"I was a little bit shellshocked after the start," said Rose. "It was certainly not what the doctor ordered, but on the third tee I told myself I was still leading.

"I said yesterday that a four-shot lead at halfway is nothing to get excited about and I proved it. I survived today. It was a great day."

Harrington is the current holder of the Order of Merit and he now believes the chance of regaining his title is out of his hands. If Rose finishes above him then he is guaranteed to overhaul Ernie Els at the top of the Order of Merit list.

"I can't now get away with having a bad day, whereas he can still win not having a good day," he said. "It's kind of in his hands tomorrow," said Harrington.

Elsewhere, German Martin Kaymer shot a superb round of 66 to share fourth place alongside British duo Colin Montgomerie and Ian Poulter.