RECORD ROSE’S LOVE-IN

JUSTIN ROSE finally felt the love at Carnoustie and gave himself a long shot at an unlikely Open triumph.

The world No.3 (right) looked to be on his way home on Friday evening before making a birdie on the last hole of his second round to squeeze inside the cut line.

That proved to be a momentum-changer as he headed out in the second group yesterday and posted a course Open record-equalling 64. With a four under total, he will still need something extra special in the final round but at least the popular Englishman cut a happier figure than he had over the opening two days.

Rose, whose effort included seven birdies, said: “It was lovely to get the crowd going and hear the crowd support me. I felt like they latched on to some good golf.

“I hadn’t had a lot of momentum from the crowd all week, and today it started to change, and that was very enjoyable.”

For a while, it looked like countryman Chris Wood would at least equal Rose’s round but two bogeys on the back nine left him with a 66 to stand at three under par for the Championship.

“The way I’ve played the first couple of days has been terrible,” said Wood, who burst on to the scene as an amateur at the 2008 Open at Birkdale, where he finished in a tie for fifth. “But I love this tournament and it kickstarted my career, obviously.

“It lifts you. It’s such a special event and one I feel like I could do well in.”

“But it has not felt as though I’ve had much control for a long time.”