Justin Rose inches from posting albatross at Hong Kong Open
Thursday 8 December 2016 12:02, UK
Justin Rose went inches away from posting the first albatross of the European Tour season during the opening round of the Hong Kong Open.
The defending champion sits six strokes adrift of early pacesetter Rafa Cabrera Bello in Fanling, with one shot standing out in particular from his level-par 70.
Rose posted a bogey-five at the 11th - his opening hole, but bounced back in style at the 529-yard 13th. After lacing his opening blow in to the middle of the fairway, the Olympic champion attacked the green with his second shot in to the par-five.
The Englishman's approach landed on the front edge of the green and gathered pace as it raced along the dancefloor towards the hole, only to rattle the flagstick and bounce out.
Rose then tapped in for the easiest of eagle-threes to go under par for the day, only to mix two bogeys with a sole birdie during the rest of his round.
Live European Tour Golf
Click on the video above to see how close Rose came!
Watch the Hong Kong Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Live coverage begins on Friday from 6pm.
