Justin Rose found himself in contention for a second major title today, two days after facing an early exit from the 78th Masters.
Rose was six over par after 12 holes of his opening round at Augusta National and only made the halfway cut by two shots after birdies on the 17th and 18th in a second-round 70.
But, despite four-putting his second hole, the US Open champion hit back to card two eagles and two birdies in a third round of 69 to finish one under par.
"I think if I just boil it down to maybe the last couple of holes, I would love to have snuck a couple or been a couple better going into tomorrow," Rose said.
"There's a lot of players I think going to be in with a chance tomorrow. Anybody under par going into tomorrow has a good shot."
Highlights of Rose's round were two eagles, each winning him a pair of crystal goblets from Augusta National Golf Club.
"The third hole was obviously a bonus coming off the back of a four putt. Hit driver off the tee, wedged it up. It's a blind shot, but I could tell by the crowd that it went in."
His other eagle came at the 13th, drawing his drive around the corner and going in with a four iron. That left him a 25 foot putt which found the middle of the cup.
Rose has been hampered by a shoulder injury this season and did not play the two events leading up to the Masters, but refused to blame that for his opening 76.
"I haven't really thought about it because it is what it is, so you can't do much about it," he added. "Maybe coming in off the back of two weeks off is something I'll look at because of that.
"But two weeks off might suit me tomorrow. I might be fresher. If I go and post a great round of golf, it will look like the best two weeks off of golf I've ever had."
