England's Justin Rose took the halfway lead in the Buick Championship on the day he announced he will rejoin The European Tour from the start of the 2006 season.
Rose shot a flawless seven under par 63 to move four strokes clear of the field in Cromwell, Connecticut. Without a bogey in the opening two days at the TPC at River Highlands, Rose tops the leaderboard on 12 under par 128.
The 2003 Open Champion Ben Curtis (68) and fellow American Kevin Sutherland (67) shared second spot on 132 while European Tour Member Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland made up ground with a five under par 65 to lie on 135.
"I think what I'm probably more pleased about than 12 birdies is the fact I've kept a bogey off my card," said Rose, who is chasing his first win on the US PGA Tour.
"We all know this is a pretty tricky golf course," he said.
"It's been a slow year which has been frustrating because I feel my game has been in good shape.
"I've been in situations where I've had a chance to win and I've wanted it a little too much. I've been through that and I've recognised that and I've been working on my patience level."
A winner of two European Tour titles and a further two titles worldwide, Rose birdied his first two holes before taking sole possession of the lead with more back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh.
The 25 year old Englishman then stamped his authority on the field with three consecutive birdies from the 12th.
"Tomorrow I'm not going to think about winning, it's the halfway point," said Rose.
"I think if I can just try and get something out of the course the next two days, I think the total will be pretty good.
"I've learned it (being ahead after 36 holes) is a million miles from winning the tournament and I think that helps me.
"There's no point thinking about winning until Sunday. It can only get in your way until then."
George O’’Grady, Executive Director of The European Tour, confirmed Rose will be rejoining Membership when he spoke at the BMW International Open in Munich yesterday. “Justin Rose has informed me he will be rejoining the Tour the moment the 2006 season starts,” he said.
Rose will be eligible for Ryder Cup points from November at the start of the 2006 season and has his sights set on making a Ryder Cup debut at The K Club, Straffan, Co. Kildare, in Ireland next September.
Rose said: "I am hoping I can turn my form around as it is a lifelong ambition of mine to represent Europe in The Ryder Cup.
"The first European Tour event I will play in is the South African Airways Open, but in the meantime I will be trying to improve my World Ranking as that's another way of qualifying."
The Ryder Cup Qualifying Process starts next week at the Omega European Masters
