In-form Rose wins again

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  • July 5, 2010

Justin Rose held his nerve to triumph at the AT&T National on Sunday for his second PGA Tour win in five weeks.

Justin Rose exorcised the demons of his final-day nightmare at the Travelers Championship with a one-shot victory at the AT&T National.
Having waited 161 events to clinch his first title on the PGA Tour the Englishman duly made it two in the space of five weeks, following his triumph at The Memorial Tournament in Ohio last month.
The 29-year-old had started the fourth round in Pennsylvania with a four-shot cushion – a similar position to where he had been just a week ago.
On that occasion Rose was three clear going into last Sunday’s final round at the Travelers Championship – only to card a 75 and end up in a tie for ninth.
However he overcame the odd blip at the Aronimink Golf Club – including a bogey at the first – to make sure lightning didn’t strike twice with a score of 70.
Rose looked to be coasting to glory when an eagle at the ninth, his first of the season, moved him five shots clear at the turn.
Although bogeys at 10 and 11 reduced his lead, he held his nerve with seven straight pars to finish on 10 under par – one clear of Ryan Moore.
“I was obviously a little worried about today based on last Sunday – there’s no doubt about it,” he said after an even-par last round.
“I just tried to stay in my rhythm. I probably made it a little closer than it needed to be with a couple of shaky three-putts on 10 and 11, but like I said at the start of this week this was my US Open with the way the course was set up.”
His success means it is the third time in four years that the winner of The Memorial has gone on to claim the AT&T event in the same season. It also earns him a late exemption for the upcoming Open at St Andrews.
Moore had turned up the heat on Rose in the closing holes, two late birdies in his stunning 65 leaving him in the clubhouse on nine under.
In the end the American had to settle for second place, though, one shot clear of compatriot Jeff Overton (67). Korean Charli Wi was fourth on seven under.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods ended a frustrating week on a four-over total of 284 after signing for a 71.
The world number one’s one-over score on Sunday means it is the first time in a non-major PGA Tour event that he has failed to break par in all four rounds since the 1999 Bay Hill Invitational.
“I felt like I was driving it on a string all week,” he said afterwards. “Unfortunately, my iron game wasn’t as sharp as it could be and certainly I putted awful.
“Welcome to golf. There are weeks when you hit it absolutely atrociously and for some reason shoot under par every day. Or you hit it on a string and feel like you can’t make anything.
“I just had one of those week unfortunately. Hopefully we’ll get it dialled in for the British (Open).”

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