Justin Rose missed a magical 59 by one shot as he pulled a 14-foot birdie putt at the final hole of the Palm course, settling for a par and a stellar 12-under-par 60 in the first round of the Funai Classic at Walt Disney World.

PHIL MICKELSON ended his magical year with golf's magic number. The Masters champion shot a 13-under 59 to win the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, a two-day competition for the year's four major winners.

The sign-writer, on standby in case of a dramatic feat at the Heineken Classic, was pressed into action yesterday as Ernie Els shredded Royal Melbourne to shoot an historic round of 60.

Ernie Els today shot a remarkable 12-under-par round of 60 to open the defence of his title at the Heineken Classic in superb fashion.