Rose builds four-stroke lead

Associated Press

LEMONT, Ill.

It’s not quite the “fifth major” for Justin Rose, though it’s a big deal. He spent last week at the “J.R. Challenge,” named after himself and involving seven of his best friends from childhood who meet each year for a week of golf.

They went to Long Island and settled for a rotation of Sebonac, Garden City Men’s Club, National Links and Friars Head. Using the Stableford format and a cumulative score through four rounds, Rose was a runner-up for the miniature trophy.

“They play me off a plus 7 — plus 7 and a little bit hungover, so that’s not a great combination,” Rose said Saturday. “But I did tie for second, so I worked pretty hard.”

Among the top 70 on the PGA Tour at the BMW Championship, Rose seems to be having a much easier time.

Even as Cog Hill played tougher under sunshine and swirling wind, Rose made only one bogey as his top challengers fell apart. He wound up with a 2-under 69 and built a four-shot lead going into the final round at Cog Hill.

He attributes his best golf of the year to cleaning up his swing with coach Sean Foley this week, keying on one swing and playing as though he has nothing to lose. At No. 34 in the FedEx Cup, Rose is virtually assured of making it to the Tour Championship next week, and he might even go to East Lake with a win and a real chance at the $10 million bonus.

“It would certainly be a huge win at the right time,” said Rose, who was at 13-under 200.

The closest player to him was John Senden of Australia, who needs to win to have any chance of making the Presidents Cup team. Senden had a rugged start, but had four birdies on his last eight holes for a 70.

Mark Wilson, who started the day tied for the lead, played a five-hole stretch in 5 over on the back nine and shot 77.