Steady start from Rose
Justin Rose was only one shot off the lead after his first nine holes of the FBR Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, today.
The 25-year-old birdied the 11th, 14th and 15th to turn in a three under 33. Playing partner Paul Stankowski and fellow American Steve Lowery and Paul Stankowski covered the same stretch in 32 to be the early pacesetters.
Jose Maria Olazabal, who lost a play-off to Tiger Woods in the Buick Invitational last Sunday, began brightly with birdies at the first and fourth, but defending champion Phil Mickelson started for home down at one over.
The left-hander ran up a bogey six on the long third, had his first birdie three holes later, but then dropped another shot on the ninth.
Playing partner Vijay Singh stood level par and Londoner Brian Davis was one over with eight to play. The later starters included Sergio Garcia, Greg Owen and Graeme McDowell.
