The 40-year-old Englishman holds a four-stroke lead over Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama on three-under-par.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout is a further stroke back in a tie for fourth along with the likes of Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson.

Rose says his round changed just before the turn.

“I knew 2-over through 7 is not the end of the world, but also knew I was going in the wrong direction.

“You can't win the golf tournament today. Even with a 65, you can’t win it today. You can only probably lose it today.

“I didn’t hit the panic button yet and thought if I could get myself back around even par, that would be a good day’s work.”

Charl Schwartzel is on two-over-par in a share for 30th, while Louis Oosthuizen and Dylan Frittelli are both on four-over-par in a tied for 60th.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport