Rose approaching full bloom
Justin Rose is in sight of becoming the European Tour's youngest number one for 18 years after an amazing rollercoaster ride at Valderrama.
Third behind Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington in the Order of Merit race entering the season-ending Volvo Masters, the 27-year-old goes into the final round with a commanding four-stroke lead over Harrington and Simon Dyson.
Playing together for the second time in three days, Open champion Harrington and Rose both returned 71s to remain four under and level par respectively.
"I was a little bit shell-shocked after the start (bogey, double-bogey)," admitted Rose. "It was certainly not what the doctor ordered, but on the third tee I told myself I was still leading.
"I said on Friday that a four-shot lead at halfway is nothing to get excited about and I proved it.
"But I survived. It was a great day to get round in level par and maintain a four-shot lead.
"A few weeks ago I was of the mindset that if it (becoming Europe's number one) happened, it happened, but last week came the realisation that it's something I really wanted."
