Justin Rose plays down Masters pressure after charging into contention
Englishman Justin Rose insists he feels no added pressure to avenge last year’s play-off heartbreak after moving into halfway contention at the Masters.
The former world number one carded a three-under-par 69 at Augusta National to reach five under for the tournament.
His impressive second round comes a year after he narrowly missed out to Rory McIlroy at the first extra hole, marking his third career runner-up finish at the prestigious major.
Chasing an elusive second major
Despite the painful memories of that near-miss, the 2013 US Open champion is using the patrons’ support to his advantage in pursuit of the Green Jacket.
“I feel no added pressure or expectation because of what happened last year,” Rose said.
“I’m enjoying the crowd, they seem to be pulling for me out there, so I’m using that as good energy.”
The veteran recovered from a bogey on the opening hole to register four birdies during a scintillating five-hole stretch from the seventh.
He then cancelled out a frustrating three-putt on the 12th by taking full advantage of the par-five 15th to secure the early clubhouse target.
Hatton joins the English charge
Rose is not the only British hopeful making significant strides up the leaderboard heading into the crucial weekend action.
Fellow Englishman Tyrrell Hatton sits just one shot further back at four under par after delivering a magnificent round of 66.
The Ryder Cup star amassed seven birdies during his Friday charge, significantly boosting his chances of securing a maiden major championship.
His only blemish of a stellar afternoon came via a frustrating bogey at the difficult par-four 18th hole.
Keeping it light and aggressive
For Rose, the weekend objective is simply to maintain the relaxed mindset that has propelled him into this promising position.
“Whenever I play well, I tend to play controlled golf and get pretty focused,” he explained.
“The goal is just to try to keep it as free as I can as well. You’ve still got to keep it fun, light and aggressive, and keep it as loose as you can.”
If he can maintain that delicate emotional balance, a long-awaited second major crown could finally be within his grasp.
