World No. 5  Justin Rose is looking to kick-start his new season on a winning note and also avoid any ‘rugby tackles’ over the final day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Rose is competing in Abu Dhabi for a first time and after three-putting the first for bogey, the Ryder Cup winning star then birdied five of six holes from the fourth in an eventual round of 68 to lead by two shots on 12-under par.

As well, Rose is now looking to make amends, and in the absence of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods with the game’s top-two ranked players having missed the halfway cut on Friday.

Rose will also want to make up in the absence of McIlroy after losing last year’s season-ending nearby Dubai event to the World No. 1 despite shooting a final day 62.

“There’s always a lot of hullabaloo going on when Rory and Tiger (Woods) are in a field but you can’t let any other opponent influence you,” said Rose.

“They can’t come and rugby tackle you or anything like that.  I’ve tried my whole career not to let that influence me.” 

Justin Rose hitting into the 9th green with the distinctive ‘Falcon’ clubhouse in the background. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)