Rose offers best chance at late drama

Closing to within three shots on Spieth stirred hope.

AUGUSTA — It looked as if maybe, just maybe, Justin Rose was going to be able to pressure Jordan Spieth and add drama to the fourth round of the 79th Masters on Sunday.

Rose began the tournament’s last day in second place, trailing Spieth by four strokes but carrying the momentum of going 5 under par on the last six holes during Saturday’s third round to hit 12 under.

Rose stayed hot on Sunday by posting birdies on the first two holes to pull within three strokes of Spieth.

“I think it signaled my intent, for sure,” Rose said. “I knew there was a score out there.”

The margin fell back to four, but set the stage for Rose’s first shot at the green jacket.

After Rose pushed his drive right on No. 7, his second shot went further right into the gallery, settling on tampeddown grass.

Spieth, whose drive also went right, found a gap in the trees and put his second shot between two bunkers near the front of the green. He seemed poised to at least make par with Rose seemingly destined for bogey at best.

But then Rose hit an amazing chip that landed on the green and spun back toward the flag, giving it a quick kiss as it rolled past before stopping 5 feet away.

The improbability of the shot and the result seemed to rattle Spieth,

Finished tied for second who missed his 5-foot par putt. Rose made his par, the ball swirling around the hole before dropping in. Still in his putting pose, Rose mimicked his ball’s movement by rotating his knees in a circle before giving a big smile.

The lead was down to three. There was hope for Sunday drama.

That was as close as Rose would get.

Spieth’s lead grew to four on the par-5 eighth thanks to a poor second shot by Rose that kept him from a chance at an eagle. The lead grew to five after Rose three-putted on No. 9, and to six after No. 10.

“Momentum stopped for me around 8 and 9,” Rose said.

Rose was able to whittle it to four after birdies on Nos. 13, 14 and 15.

Rose’s last opportunity came on No. 16, a 170-yard par-3, where he had a chance at a twoshot swing. He faced a 15-foot birdie putt after a solid 7-iron while Spieth faced a tough 8-foot putt for par.

To no one’s surprise, Spieth drained his and Rose missed his. At that point Rose admitted he was playing for second place, which he accomplished. Still, Rose said he would take his 14 under this year, next year and the next in his bag to add a second major to his victory in the 2013 U.S. Open.

“Jordan didn’t really open the door,” Rose said.

CHRIS CARLSON / AP Justin Rose (left) and his 14-under finish came the closest to challenging sizzling Jordan Spieth (right) in Sunday’s final round, but was short by four strokes.