Rose & Faldo in contention

England's Justin Rose produced another brilliant display in the Alfred Dunhill Championship to put a first European Tour victory within his reach.

Rose recorded a third round 66 at Houghton Golf Club to tie with overnight leader Dean Robertson in second place, just behind the leader, Australian Adam Scott.

Scott fired a best-of-the-day 65 for an 18-under total of 198, ahead of fellow 20-year-old Rose and Robertson who birdied five of the last seven holes in his 67.

Veteran Nick Faldo was two shots further back in fourth place after a 68 with defending champion Anthony Wall among five players on 13 under,along with Sheffield's Malcolm Mackenzie and Wales' Bradley Dredge.

Rose was in superb form on the opening nine holes, racing to the turn in six-under-par 30 and although he dropped two shots on the back nine, his 17-under total was easily the best of his professional career.

Rose said: "I feel very confident with my game.

"My concentration was very good all the way round because it's easy to get ahead of yourself and think `I'm leading'."

Rose turned professional the day after his sensational Open performance but missed 21 consecutive cuts and has had to make three visits to the tour school to earn his card.

Rose showed his potential last season and now his hard work with coach David Leadbetter is paying dividends.

"It's a rewarding feeling being so close to the lead because I've put in a lot of hard work and the pressure of trying to win a tournament is far better than the pressure of trying to make a cut," Rose said.

"There is always interest in what I'm doing because of the Open and everything is compared to that but I think people are beginning to respect me for some of the other things, like getting through tour school twice.

"I've taken some big steps and the pleasing thing is whenever I have had to really perform I have managed to do it. That's quite gratifying.

Like Rose, Scott enjoyed a successful amateur career, finishing sixth in Morocco and fifth at the Belfry in tour events last year.

Robertson believes he will be the man to beat, not just on Sunday but for many years to come if he fulfils his enormous potential.

"Adam is a world beater, he has a big big future," Robertson said.< "He is the finished article, he oozes class. His swing is fantastic and he has a great temperament to go with it. I think he will win majors and compete with (Tiger) Woods in the future.

"He is going to be very hard to beat tomorrow because with his length, 68 is probably par for him and you can't see him shooting more than that."

Scott was not making predictions but was not surprised to be leading what is just his ninth tour event as a professional."I've been close to the lead before but not really done well to be honest. "At Loch Lomond I was two behind with four to play and bogeyed the last four holes and at the Irish Open three back with three to play and bogeyed two of the last three. It's a learning experience each time and hopefully I've learnt enough.

"Maybe it was being too aggressive but I was just 19 then. Young and dumb! It was probably to be expected but I'm a veteran now!

"I've improved by a shot every day and would like to be another shot tomorrow. I think a 64 would be enough."

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