JUSTIN ROSE makes his long-awaited European PGA Challenge Tour debut in the Diners Club Austrian Open at the Millstater See Golf Club tomorrow.

The Hampshire teenager's decision to break from the main Volvo Tour comes after promoters blocked invites into the English and German Opens.

Rose has yet to make a cut since turning professional last July and his father and manager Ken revealed: "The promoters of the English and German Opens felt he wasn't playing well enough to warrant a place, which was inevitable I suppose.

"From now on he'll play it by ear, taking in a Challenge Tour event when there isn't a place for him on the main tour." Rose's next European Tour slot will be in next week's Moroccan Open.

Rose senior admits that the expectations of his son after last year's fourth-place finish in The Open, have worked against him in his first year as a professional.

After each missed cut the pressures have increased and Ken says: "Justin is having to become mentally tougher by the week. But there is a mental battle out there on the golf course which he still has to win.

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