The Open 2018: Justin Rose equals record to vault into contention at Carnoustie

The world number three capped off a faultless performance with birdies at the final two holes

Justin Rose matched the lowest score in Carnoustie's Open history with a flawless seven-under-par 64 to vault into contention.

A day after making the cut with nothing to spare thanks to a birdie at the 36th hole, Rose made the most of his reprieve on a serenely calm morning on the east coast of Scotland.

The world number three capped off a faultless performance with birdies at the final two holes, rolling in a 12-footer at the last for the lowest round of the championship.

He posted a four-under 209 total, finishing nearly three hours before halfway leaders Zach Johnson and Kevin Kisner had even teed off at six-under.

And the 2013 US Open champion was delighted with his day's work.

"Momentum wise, birdieing the final hole picking up where I left off last night got me into the round early," Rose said. "The first couple of days were difficult and frustrating. The birdie on 18 last night freed me up and very happy to be here.

"I kept it together mentally, felt a bit more in control with my game too. To keep a clean sheet on this course obviously leads to great stuff."

Rose said he had birdied the easier holes, but still arrived at the difficult closing stretch knowing he needed to pick up a couple more strokes to give himself even an outside chance heading into Sunday.

"Playing the last four holes I was pushing myself to make a couple more," he said. "Those late couple of birdies certainly tomorrow will make it at least interesting."

Rose vaulted into contention on Saturday (REUTERS)

Rose's round matched the 64 shot by American Steve Stricker in the third round here in 2007, while Australian Richard Green shot the same score in the final round back when the Open most recently was played at Carnoustie.