Bob Hope Chrysler Classic round three: Can Rose hold his nerve as things hot up?

Justin Rose must be quietly smiling to himself as his American rivals whinge on about the awful, English-like weather. They all went to Palm Springs for a sun tan and must see this tournament as a celestial conspiracy to gift Rose the win. He has tried to remind them he’s a resident of sunny Florida these days, but no one’s listening.

Still, the weather has possibly played at least a small part in Justin’s good fortune, and it seems like it’s going to do so again Saturday. Rose is off at the Classic course on the day when forecasts suggest the wind is at its lightest, so he should find it eminently manageable. Coincidentally, he has played the Classic last of the four in his previous two outings, carding a 68 in 2005 and a 66 last year, so as long as he keeps his head all the pressure is going to be on the chasing pack.

That is what has impressed so far: Rose has appeared incredibly relaxed for a man on the cusp of breaking his American duck after so many disappointments. Heck he even seems to be enjoying himself. The pro-am format clearly suits.

Even so, the great debate has begun among punters as to whether he will hold his nerve over the weekend. One forumite rather recklessly suggests he will be Tiger Woods’s main challenger this year. Only an intriguing weekend will tell.

I can’t see Scott Verplank, who clearly reacted to the poor weather Saturday, giving up without a fight after coming so close last year, and the forecast is for a warmer day Saturday. Lucas Glover has been on a steady upward curve here and Robert Allenby doggedly refuses to go away. Or is there another Paul Goydos lurking in the undergrowth? (If there is you can count on Setanta/Golf Channel being too preoccupied to spot it.)

It’s not the most hard-edged top of a leaderboard I’ve seen, though, so you would have to say it’s increasingly looking like Justin’s to lose. Again.