Justin Rose made a dream start to his third round encouter at the Accenture World Matchplay Championship today by taking an early lead over American Charles Howell at Dove Mountain in Arizona.

Giant-killer Rose - fresh from beating fourth seed Phil Mickelson yesterday - didn't eactly set the place alight by parring the first five holes. But that was enough for the Englishman to take a three hole lead over a struggling Howell.

After ideal conditions for the first two days, players had to cope with cool and breezy conditions and the first few holes played into the teeth of the wind.

Howell had his problems from the start when he pulled his drive at the par five first and took a penalty stroke. Rose won the hole, but Howell struck back to win the par four second with a birdie, only to bogey the next three holes, handing them to Rose on a platter.

While Rose took control of his third round match, compatriot Ian Poulter got away slowly with three bogeys in the first four holes to fall two down to talented South African Trevor Immelman.

A thirs Englishman, Paul Casey, was in better shape to be two up after four holes against Shaun Micheel. Th pair met in the final of the World Matchplay Championship at Wentworth last September where Casey won easily.

Like Rose, Casey didn't start with a barrage of birdies, but four straight pars were enough to ease him clear of the American, who bogeyed the third and fourth holes.

Top seed Tiger Woods was all square after two holes against straight-hitting Australian Nick O'Hern in a rematch of their battle in this event two years ago. O'Hern won on that occasion.