Justin Rose hopes he can finally convert an opening round lead at The Masters into a successful week at Augusta National.

For his third consecutive time - he did not play in 2005 or 2006 - the north Hampshire ace heads the field going into the second round after last season's European number one carded a opening round four-under-par 68 to share the first round lead alongside South African Trevor Immelman.

Four years ago Rose stayed out in front for another 24 hours, but then crashed to a Saturday 81 and finished 22nd, while last April he was still in the hunt with two holes to play, but double-bogeyed the 17th when one behind Zach Johnson.

"The more times you're up there the more comfortable you begin to feel and the easier it becomes," said the 27-year-old.

"Hopefully this year I give myself chances and what I learned last year will help me finish the job off a little better."

Rose finished inside the top 12 all four majors last year, with only Tiger Woods having a better record, while he also captured the Volvo Masters in a play-off to become the European Tour's new number one.

"I won a tournament with the Order of Merit on the line. There was possibly more pressure than I've ever played under and I came through and did the business," he added.

"What I've learnt is that there are 54 holes left and you've got to stay in the moment right until the back nine Sunday. Then you have to see how you stack up and maybe re-evaluate things."

As with a year ago Rose will tee-off his second round at 2pm, while Immelman, the player who beat him in the Nedbank Challenge at Sun City before Christmas, will likely have more favourable conditions in the morning.

The pair made a trip to Augusta National together for early practice two weeks ago along with Ian Poulter, who is also in the hunt after a 70 highlighted by a hole-in-one at the 16th.

Lee Westwood, and little-known Americans Brian Bateman and Brandt Snedeker shared a tie for third, while Jim Furyk shot 70, Phil Mickelson 71, Vijay Singh 72, Ernie Els 74 and Australians Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy 75.

Remarkably, nine of the 20-strong European contingent - Rose, Westwood, Poulter, Nick Dougherty, Luke Donald, Robert Karlsson, Soren Hansen and 50-year-olds Sandy Lyle and Ian Woosnam - had at least a share of the lead at some point.

Lyle was playing 20 years to the day since he became champion with a closing birdie, but sadly the Scot's finish this time was not as exhilarating as he bogeyed three of the last four after initially reaching three under.