Thursday 9 April 2015 10:03, UK
Justin Rose is determined to overcome the putting problems that hampered his Masters challenge last week.
The Englishman was undone by his touch on the slick Augusta greens, taking 36 putts in his second-round 75 before changing putters for his closing 74 that left him 11 shots off the pace in a share of 25th place.
Rose's long game was in fine fettle as he finished third in the greens in regulation statistics, but he was a lowly 58th in the putting rankings of the 61 who made the cut and knows he has to improve with the flat stick to contend for major titles.
"I think I've played well enough to win this week tee-to-green," said the world No 4. "I thought it was as good as I could play.
"Obviously, we all know that's half the game. The other half is still eluding me right now, but I know where I need to work.
"There are lots of positives to look back on but also some glaring weaknesses, so I know where I need to focus my attention."
Rose also reflected on his struggles at the infamous par-three 12th hole at Augusta, where he was seven over for the week after concluding with a quadruple-bogey on Sunday.
He added: "The 12th hole killed me this week, or this weekend. If I take that hole out, I think I'm in contention.
"I was just 80 per cent committed on the tee, not 100 per cent committed, and I think that little difference there ended up costing me a lot this week.
"I struggled to convert with the putter and eventually that led to a couple of mental errors on the back nine and, classic Augusta, if you chase too hard you can make mistakes."
