But that was enough for the Englishman to take a three hole lead over struggling American Charles Howell at Dove Mountain, Arizona.

After delightful conditions for the first two days, players had to cope with cool and breezy conditions and the first few holes played into the teeth of the wind.

Howell had his problems from the start when he pulled his drive at the par five first and took a penalty stroke.

Rose won the hole, but Howell struck back to win the par four second with a birdie, only to bogey the next three holes, handing them to Rose on a platter.

While Rose took control of his third round match, compatriot Ian Poulter got away slowly with three bogeys in the first four holes to fall two down to talented South African Trevor Immelman.

But England’s Paul Casey was in better shape, two up after four holes against Shaun Micheel, the man he thrashed in the final at the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth last September.

Like Rose, Casey didn’t start with a barrage of birdies, but four straight pars were enough to ease him clear of American Micheel, who bogeyed the third and fourth holes.

Top seed Tiger Woods was all square after two holes against straight-hitting Australian Nick O’Hern in a rematch of their battle in this event two years ago. O’Hern won on that occasion.