BBC SPORT | Golf | The Open | Bjorn hails talented Rose

Thomas Bjorn has hailed Justin Rose as "one of the biggest talents golf has ever seen", after the Englishman carded a three under par 68 at the Open Championship.

Rose showed early nerves before getting the better of playing partner Tiger Woods in his opening round at Muirfield on Friday.

And Bjorn, who also carded a 68, said: "He's got a great future ahead of him and he was so up for it today.

"Not a lot of guys would be like that if they are going out in the Open, being English and playing with Tiger Woods. They would be scared.

"He went out there and took it on and played lovely golf. He's going to do good things and if it's not this year it will be in the future.

My golf swing is not 100% yet but if it peaks on Sunday that would be nice

Justin Rose

"I think the players in Europe have a lot of respect for Justin."

Rose reeled off two birdies and a fabulous eagle-three at the ninth during his opening round at Muirfield.

And afterwards he said he had enjoyed playing in the company of Woods, the world number one.

"I felt pretty calm in the morning, but when our names were announced at the first tee my legs went to jelly," he said.

"I knew I couldn't get too involved in what Tiger did.

"Once I got used to playing with him, I was very comfortable and didn't notice the cameras and the gallery movement.

"My golf swing is not 100% yet but if it peaks on Sunday that would be nice."

While Rose flourished, countryman Lee Westwood experienced very different fortunes.

Lee Westwood in action on day one of the 131st Open Championship
Westwood found a badly-raked bunker

The Ryder Cup golfer ended his round with a disappointing 72.

He was left rueing his luck after finding a badly-raked bunker at the 12th hole.

He made a bogey five there, his only dropped shot on the back nine, and was in poor spirits back in the clubhouse.

Westwood said: "It's always the same, when you are on a roll the good luck goes your way and when things are going the other way it seems to be only bad luck.

"I was able to put it behind me and nearly made par on the hole.

"These bunkers are very deep and you just have to accept that you are going to get bad lies now and then.

"But I have no complaints, I shouldn't have missed the shot there.

Westwood had some positive words to say about his golf game.

"I am certainly not playing as well as I did in 1999 and 2000, but if I keep working on the things I am working on I believe it will come good eventually."


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