Rose seeks improved putting after first day

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Justin Rose lines up a shot near the patrons on #2 during the first round of the Masters Tournament Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Augusta, Georgia. (MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF)
Article Photos

Photos description

Justin Rose hits a shot near the patrons on #2 during the first round of the Masters Tournament Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Augusta, Georgia. (MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF)

An up-and-down opening round for Justin Rose leaves him in contention after the first day, but gaining more feel on the greens could be a requirement Friday.

Rose shot 1-under 71 in the first round of the Masters Tournament on Thursday, largely because of solid ball-striking and opportunities. His putting, however, left a lower score on the course.

“The first 12 holes, I didn’t miss a shot tee to green, but just making putts I found incredibly difficult,” Rose said. “When the greens are this fast, the wind has a significant effect on them.”

Rose mixed in five birdies and four bogeys. He sank birdie putts of 10 feet on No. 8 and 20 feet on No. 9, then drained a 10-footer for birdie on the 13th and knocked it to five feet for birdie on No. 18, the second-toughest hole of the first round.

Putting, however, was an issue on several holes, including a missed three-foot birdie on No. 1, a three-putt bogey on No. 3 and the same on the 12th. Rose said tightening his putting stroke could be an adjustment entering the second round.

“I managed to get the putting going a little bit and made some good putts around the turn, but everything was a challenge today,” he said.