JUBILANT Justin Rose is celebrating after winning the Australian Masters and ending his four-year victory drought.

The 26-year-old golf star from north Hampshire yesterday triumphed at Huntingdale Golf Club in Melbourne by two shots with a 12-under-par (276) total to capture the European Tour's third tournament of the 2007 season.

Rose shot a 73 (+1) in his final round, which he began two ahead on -13 after opening scores of 69, 66, 68. But, on a tricky day, where gusting winds made good scoring difficult and few players broke 70, it proved enough to see off the challenge of Aussies Greg Chalmers and Richard Green (-10, 278).

And speaking of his delight from Melbourne, Rose told The Gazette: "It feels really great to win again.

"It's been such a long time coming - I can't believe it's been four years since I last won. I am thrilled to win this.

"I've been playing well this year, especially from around August, and have come close on a few occasions. I knew if I kept giving myself the opportunities to win, I would take one."

He added: "I just had to be patient - but it's been a big week confidence-wise for me.

"I've had a few close calls this season, but to win a tournament like this is great for my confidence.

"I thought at the start of this week 15-under would give me a chance and I knew I would still need to play well in my final round, as there were plenty of guys who could have got that.

"But to see them all off and win again is just the perfect way to end my season. It really sets me up for next year."

In typical fashion, though, Rose had to do it the hard way. He reached the sixth quietly at one under for the day before apparent disaster struck at the long seventh in the shape of a triple bogey eight.

His tee shot found the sand and his second squirted off the face of the trap into an unplayable lie in the bushes.

He chipped out before finding the back of the green and three-putting.

However, gutsy Rose showed great resilience to shake off the disappointment straight away with a birdie at the eighth before reaching the turn in a one-over 37.

He was joined in the lead at -11 by amateur Aaron Pike when the burly Australian holed his bunker shot for an eagle at the par five 14th, but crucial birdies at the 14th and 16th gave Rose breathing space.

He took an iron for safety at the 18th but found trouble on the right, only to produce a brilliant recovery that allowed him to par and secure his third European Tour title.

It is his first taste of victory since 2002, when he won four times worldwide, including the British Masters at Woburn.

Given his form that year, Rose earned his US PGA Tour card for the 2003 season and made the decision to relocate to America to play exclusively across the pond.

The young English ace - who is itching to make the 2008 Ryder Cup team, to be led by Nick Faldo at Valhalla, Kentucky - admits there has been much frustration over the past three years as he has continued to learn his trade and patiently tried to improve.

Critics suggested he had regressed by making the move, but Rose was always confident it was the correct thing to do - and he believes his Australian success proves it.

"I always knew what the bigger picture was and that it was the best decision for my career to play in America," stated the Englishman, whose change in coach in July from David Leadbetter to Nick Bradley has also coincided with his resurgence.

In winning, Rose claimed the £115,359 first prize, moved to fifth on the 2007 European Tour order of merit and up to 51st in the official world rankings.

That puts him closer to a return to the US Masters field through the top 50 route into golf's first major of the year every April, and Rose is desperate to line up at Augusta once more.

But there is one far more special event he is looking forward to - his marriage to fiance Kate Phillips next month.

"It's going to be a fantastic way to end the year," he said.