Tiger burns too brightly for Rose

Justin Rose became the latest European star to wilt in the heat haze which

surrounds Tiger Woods in major championships.

Even on a July day so chill that Woods wore thick mitts for the majority of his

first round, the world number one had a demoralising effect on the man tipped to

be the next European golfing superstar by Nick Faldo.

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Rose is in good company, as the statistics readily prove.

Sergio Garcia shot a 73 to Woods's 67 in last year's Open. Luke Donald shot a

79 to Woods's 72 in the Open second round in 2003 and in 2002 Rose shot a 75 in

the second round to Woods's 68.

This time Woods shot a two-under-par 69 which leaves him handily placed on the

leaderboard while Rose shot a four-over 75 which left him shaking his head in

bewilderment.

"I felt like I was cruising," said Rose who turned in 34 only to come back

playing army golf - left, right, left, right - as the muse left him.

"I haven't figured out exactly what happened.

"It was subdued this morning, somewhat quiet. I was playing nicely. I don't

have an explanation why I ran out of gas. I've just got to shake it off."

Easier said than done after a round which started promisingly when he birdied

the first hole with a confidently struck 10-foot putt.

Even when he double-bogeyed the third after his approach followed the same path

as third playing partner Paul Lawrie and ended in the burn there was a jaunty

step in his stride.

But playing with Woods is unique, even with the galleries not as dense as once

they were. That's dense as in populated, not as in the description of the

spectator who pierced the air with shouts of "Tiger" at regular intervals for

no apparent reason.

It is about staying focused in the face of excellence, such as that produced by

Woods with a searing approach and a 15-foot putt for an eagle at Hogan's Alley,

the 578-yard par-five sixth on which from the tee you would swear a jumbo jet

could land.

Which is not to say everything was rosy in the world of Woods on a day during

which at times he looked ominously at ease and at others strangely vulnerable.

The three bogeys in six holes which scarred his card in the middle of his round

were testimony to the dangers which lurk at every turn on this burn-strewn

course.

The drop he received at the 10th when his ball nestled close to a television

cable which proved to be immovable was fortunate, prompting former Tour

professional and now BBC analyst Mark Roe to insist the official had "turned

into a jellyfish" in the presence of Woods.

And much of his work was solid rather than spectacular.

But then there was the par-three 16th and a putt which epitomised the genius of

the man on the trail of Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 majors.

Let Woods tell the story.

"It was about 100 feet," he said. "I made a nice shoulder turn, released it

and it went straight through the hole."

At which point Woods dropped his club, raised his arms and accepted the roar of

appreciation.

Such moments define sporting greatness. They win majors.

If the advantage is one shot in Woods' favour when the final scores are counted

on Sunday evening then remember that putt. Woods certainly will.

He said: "I feel good. Everything went well. I got the ideal start and I

played the last three under par and that's always a bonus. This course is hard

but fair and a fantastic test."

One which Rose failed with a bogey and a double-bogey finish which, barring

something spectacular, all but puts him out of contention.

A word for Lawrie, champion in 1999 when the Open was last played at Carnoustie

and who that day was overshadowed by the paddling antics of Jean van de Velde.

No such distractions this time but a respectable round containing two birdies

was scarred by two bogeys and a double bogey.

Like Rose, he appears destined to remain in the shadows.