GOLF; Rose wilts again as struggle continues

THE BRITISH teenager, Justin Rose, shot a five over par 77 in the first round of the Ford Open at the Kooyonga course in South Australia to finish 11 strokes behind a little-known Australian, Jarrod Moseley.

Rose, 18, who burst on to the world scene in July at The Open when he finished in a tie for fourth place, has struggled since turning professional and again disappointed in Adelaide. He accepted an offer to play in Australia to help him try to earn his European Tour card.

Moseley, who shot a six under par 66, had a brilliant five holes from the seventh to the 11th, getting four birdies and an eagle. He had six birdies, an eagle and two bogeys overall, including a dropped shot on the par-four 17th.

"My round had flattened out and I just cruised home, I didn't want to make many mistakes," Moseley said. "I dropped at 17 but that's a tough hole and I hit into the rough down there so I was happy with my finish."

The Australians Stephen Leaney, Matthew King and Jamie McCallum were tied for second after rounds of 68, while there were seven players on 69.

Meanwhile, Mark O'Meara has won the PGA American Player of the Year Award which is based on tournament wins, official money standings and scoring average.