Rose claims early BMW Championship lead (From Daily Echo)

Rose claims early BMW Championship lead

9:28am Friday 16th September 2011 in Golf

HAMPSHIRE'S Justin Rose carded a superb eight-under-par 63 to claim a two-shot lead in the first round of the BMW Championship, in Illinois.

The former North Hants player posted nine birdies and just one bogey to finish a single shot outside the course record, held by former world number one Tiger Woods.

Starting on the back nine, Rose picked up shots at the 10th, 11th, 15th and 17th, with his solitary blemish coming on the par-four 13th.

The 31-year-old then stormed home in 30, with five more birdies, to lead by two shots from American duo Webb Simpson and Mark Wilson.

"I certainly probably didn't expect that going out there today," Rose said. "I looked to the weather, looked at the temperature and I thought today was going to be a day to hang in there. Little did I know I was about to play so well.

"It's certainly my best round of the year by a long, long way, and could have been top five, top 10 rounds I've ever played for sure. That was really, really good out there."