JUSTIN Rose made an impressive start to his first ever US Masters and before yesterday's final round, which started as The Gazette went to press, had a good chance of a top-16 finish and an automatic invite to return to Augusta next year.

After three rounds the young golfer was joint 27th on five-over-par but only three shots behind the top 10 players as the Masters once again proved a test for everyone in the field.

When play finally got under way on Friday, due to heavy rain on Thursday's opening day, players faced the prospect of trying to play two rounds.

Rose completed 28 holes before the light faded and was on level par after finishing his first round with a one-over-par 73 while reigning champion Tiger Woods struggled with a round of 76.

Saturday saw Rose complete his second round but not how he would have liked, finishing with a 76 and dropping four shots on the way.

He was still tied with Woods after two rounds, however.

The third round proved Rose's best so far as he shot a one-under-par 71, while Woods finally found his form with a 66 that still left him four shots behind leader Jeff Maggert.

Another solid round from Rose would certainly give the former Robert May's schoolboy every chance of a top-16 finish.