Justin Rose clings on to one shot lead

Justin Rose, chasing his first PGA Tour title, recovered from a stuttering start to hold a one-shot lead after the third round of the Buick Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Englishman, four strokes ahead overnight at the TPC at River Highlands, battled back from two bogeys in his first five holes to card a level-par 70 and a 54-hole total of 12-under 198.

American Ben Curtis, the 2003 British Open champion, was level with Rose with two holes to play but ran up his only bogey of the day at the par-four 17th to finish with a 67.

That left Curtis alone in second place at 11 under. Holder Woody Austin (65) was a further three strokes back in a tie for third with fellow Americans Jerry Kelly (67) and Corey Pavin (67) and South Africa's Tjaart van der Walt (68).

"It wasn't pretty to start with," Rose told reporters. "I felt I didn't get the speed of the greens.

"But I was really pleased the way I hung in there and hit some good putts coming in to take some confidence into tomorrow.

"It depends on the weather, if it's windy like this it's going to be tough. It's all going to be about making pars and taking your birdies when the opportunity presents itself.

"It's a tricky golf course, you have to give it some respect and keep the ball in play as much as possible," said Rose, who has four international victories to his credit.

Austin, who ended a nine-year title drought with his playoff win over Tim Herron 12 months ago, made an early move with three consecutive birdies from the fourth before adding three more on the back nine plus one bogey.

Another American, Darron Stiles, shot a best-of-the-day 63 to secure seventh position at seven-under 203.

Darren Clarke charged through the field with four birdies in the first 13 holes. But the Briton dropped four strokes at the end of his round, double-bogeying the 15th and bogeying the 17th and 18th to return a 70 for 205.

American Michael Putnam, making his professional debut, was also in a group on five-under after a 71.

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