Rose faces a tough route in bid for another tilt a Augusta Masters

ALL the talk is about Tiger Woods returning at The Masters, but all that is in Justin Rose’s head right now is trying to get to Augusta.

The former European number one has that as his obvious goal in this week’s Transitions Championship at Palm Harbor on Florida’s west coast.

Rose was the halfway leader in the 2004 Masters and three years ago was only one behind when he double-bogeyed the penultimate hole.

But then came a tumble down the world rankings until two week’s ago when a closing 64 at the Honda Classic lifted him to third place, his best finish in America since June 2008.

Now Rose stands 59th in the world, with the leading 50 on Monday week qualifying for the opening major of the season – a tournament more eagerly awaited than ever because Woods will be back.

World Match Play champion Ian Poulter, also part of the Innisbrook field, is one of Rose’s closest friends in golf – as well as his Ryder Cup partner two years ago – and said: “It would be good to see him get back into the top 50 and into the Masters.

“I know that’s why he has been playing a busy schedule and he’s obviously playing well. His place in the world rankings is not reflective of the type of player he is.”

Rose is mightily relieved to see his hard work paying dividends at last. The 29-year-old has yet to win in over 150 US Tour starts, but has earned well over $10 million and said: “I’ve played good enough golf to win out here.

“I’ve been close a few times. Sometimes winning just gets in the way without you trying too hard – it’s felt like it’s been a bit of a battle.

“If I can just maintain the direction I’m going I certainly believe it will happen.

“The whole pressure of the PGA tour, all of the extraneous stuff that you shouldn’t really think about or pay attention to, creeps into your mindset.

“The more you can get rid of all that stuff, your true ability can come out. That’s what I’m working on – just trying to keep it simple – and if I can go out there with that mentality I know that my best golf will come out.”

This is Poulter’s last tournament before the Masters and he will be looking to pick up where he left off in Miami on Sunday.

While others were practising yesterday, Pádraig Harrington was off to Washington for a St Patrick’s Day dinner at the White House, where the guest list was headed by President Barack Obama and Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Asked if it was a black tie affair, Harrington said: “I’ll be wearing a green one!”