Rose fails to take advantage in Atlanta

Justin Rose remained near the back of the field during the third round at the PGA Tour Championship on Saturday.

Rose, one of three Europeans in the 30-man field, did not take advantage of ideal conditions on his outward nine at East Lake, Atlanta.

He collected two birdies and one bogey to improve slightly to one under par, a distant 12 strokes behind leader Tiger Woods, who had not teed off.

Friday afternoon thunderstorms dumped torrential rain on the course shortly after the second round had been completed and players continued to attack the pins without fear of their balls rolling off the greens.

The storms blew through overnight, giving way to delightful Saturday conditions, mild temperatures and sunny skies.

Woods enjoyed a three-shot halfway lead over fellow American Woody Austin, with Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Irishman Padraig Harrington five and six shots behind respectively.

Woods is seeking not only to win the tournament, but also to triumph in the new four-event FedEx Cup, which the PGA Tour has loosely called a play-off series.

Woods leads the points list and will collect a $10m bonus if he is still in front after Sunday’s final round.