JUSTIN Rose cemented his growing reputation by making the cut in his inaugural US Open despite admitting after his first round he had played without "knowing where the ball is going".

At Olympia Fields, near Chicago, the 22-year-old began the second major of the season on Thursday with a level par 70.

Three over at the turn, Rose hit back with three birdies for a 31 coming home, a score he said he was "delighted with, given my driving was off".

Rose went on to say his swing was "only 50 per cent" but that mentally he was staying positive and had considerably improved his outlook.

Some work with coach David Leadbetter before his second round also boosted Rose, who went on to shoot a 71 on Friday.

He said: "It was a day when I just ground out a score that would have been perfect in previous US Opens - 17 pars and a bogey!

"My driving is still a bit erratic and I missed six greens in regulation and managed to get up and down five times, with my only bogey coming at the par-five fifth, which was my 15th hole.

"The swing felt a little better. Lead and I had been working on getting a better coil in my body on the backswing and it is starting to pay off, but very slowly.

"But I am pleased to have made the cut in my first US Open and to have held it together when not playing great."

Conditions toughened on Saturday but Rose got to two-under with three birdies in the first six holes.

However, a bad start to the back nine saw him drop shots at 10, 11, 14 and 17, sandwiched by a solitary birdie at 13.

He said: "All in all, I am happy with my score today. My driving was better and I made a few putts.

"The course was playing much tougher today as the greens were a slightly different pace and the wind got up in the afternoon.

"I am currently tied 24th, so my aim is to finish under par for the tournament, which should hopefully mean a top-10 finish, or at least a top-15 finish to ensure an invite back here next year."

America's Jim Furyk, on 10 under, took a three shot lead into the final round, where the 33-year-old was paired with Australia's Stephen Leaney.

Next closest challengers are Vijay Singh and Nick Price, both on five-under-par.

Following his final round yesterday, Rose will be flying back to Britain and will be at Weybrook Park on Wednesday for a charity golf day to help raise money for the Basingstoke Brighter Days Appeal.

In April, Rose became patron of the appeal to build a new cancer ward at Basingstoke hospital, where his late father Ken was treated during his brave battle with leukaemia.

The golf day is expected to be a great success and spectators are encouraged to attend and help boost the amount raised.