HAMPSHIRE'S Justin Rose has been paired with Tiger Woods and Paul Lawrie for the first two rounds of the Open Championship at Carnoustie later this week.

The world number one begins his bid for a hat-trick of titles - something last achieved by Australian Peter Thomson - at 9.09am on Thursday.

Rose's best Open finish remains his fourth place as a 17-year-old amateur at Birkdale in 1998, and he was also paired with Woods at Muirfield in 2002.

Woods was halfway towards a first-ever Grand Slam of all four majors in one season that year, having won the Masters and US Open, but in foul weather on the Saturday his chance disappeared when he slumped to an 81.

He did come back with a closing 65, but finished down in 28th place.

Rose, 21 at the time, out-scored Woods by two with his opening 68 to be only one off the lead, but then scored a second-round 75 and ended up 22nd.

This time around, however, Rose is not expected to wilt and perhaps offers Britain's best chance of a home winner since Lawrie at Carnoustie eight years ago.

For full story see today's Daily Echo.