2006 Volkswagen Masters-China Open - Round 2: Goosen cruises ahead

Title holder Retief Goosen of South Africa cruised into a three-shot halfway lead at the Volkswagen Masters-China on Friday, thanks to an imperious seven-under-par 65.

The world number seven overcame a stuttering outward nine at Yalong Bay Golf Club before roaring home in 30, which included four birdies and a superb eagle at his last hole for a two-day total of 15-under-par 129.

Overnight leader Lu Wen-teh of Chinese Taipei and 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell head the chasing pack after a 69 and 68 respectively in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.

Australian Marcus Both, Ross Bain of Scotland and Englishman Yasin Ali share fourth place on 135, with Huang Ming-jie being the highest placed Chinese in a tie for eighth position on 138.

Goosen, who started from the 10th, started with three birdies against bogeys on the 16th and 18th before turning on another master-class performance reminiscent of his six-shot triumph in last year's Volkswagen Masters-China. He signed off in style, ripping a glorious three iron to three feet at the par five ninth hole for an easy eagle.

"It was an up and down round. The first six holes, I played extremely well. I should have been six under but I couldn't make a putt. Then I hit it into the water for the second day running on 16 and that kind of stopped the round for the next five or six holes.

"I set a goal of finishing at 11-under-par as things weren't going my way. And then I made a good birdie on number three and four which settled me down and on the last few holes, it all happened," said Goosen, a two-time Major winner.

The smooth-swinging South African warned his rivals that he could go lower at the weekend as he has not taken advantage of the par fives, playing those holes in two-under-par. "I think I can (go lower). If I play the par fives better, I have a chance to get to 22-under," said Goosen, who triumphed last year with a 22-under-par total.

The 43-year-old Lu, a two-time winner in Asia, is relishing a weekend battle against Goosen and Campbell and would have ended the day a stroke closer to the lead after a bogey on 18 following an errant drive.

"I'm quite happy. I was trying hard to save par on 18 but I made a bad chip. Although I'm three back, I'm not going to attack the course as it's not my style. The par fives are not reachable in two for me and I'll play conservatively tomorrow. The conditions were a bit harder in the afternoon due to the wind but I'm not feeling any pressure," said Lu.

Campbell is hoping to avenge last year's loss to Goosen but knows he must avoid late blemishes after working his way to six under for the round through 16 holes with five birdies, one eagle and a bogey.

"I played nicely all day apart from the last two holes. It's a shame. Bogeying the 17 and 18 always leaves a bad taste in the mouth but there are still two rounds to go. Hopefully I can make progress by shooting low tomorrow," said the Kiwi star.

Two missed drives proved costly at the end. "I think I got a bit tired and made two bad swings which cost me two shots. But besides that it was pretty good. I hit some nice quality shots. Retief is a great player. He'll be the man to beat."

Australia's Both is looking forward to a weekend title tilt, on a venue which saw him lift a maiden Asian Tour triumph in 2003. "That was a nice round," said Both, who sank an chip-in eagle on the 13th and six other birdies.

"There're always positive thoughts coming back here. I always feel comfortable on this although I haven't played particularly well the last few times that I've been here. Chances are Retief is going to keep doing what he's doing. It's the sort of course where you'll never know what will happen as there are some birdie holes out there," said Both.

Bain is facing a battle to keep his card on the Asian Tour as he is presently ranked a lowly 84th on the UBS Order of Merit. A run of five straight birdies provided the highlight to his round. "I was one over par through five. It was a slack start. But all of the sudden, I hit some good shots and made a few putts and the next thing I know, I made five birdies in a row, and then holed another birdie on 12," said Bain.

"My back is against the wall again this year and I know I've got to make some cheques to make the top-60 to keep my card. I think this week should be better as I like the golf course here and I'm up on the leaderboard."

The halfway cut was set at one-over-par 145, with 70 players, including China's amateur Wu As-hun, progressing into the weekend rounds. Wu, preparing for the Asian Games, carded a 71 for tied 23rd place.

Leading second round scores
129 - Retief Goosen (RSA) 64-65
132 - Michael Campbell (NZL) 64-68, Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 63-69
135 - Marcus Both (AUS) 70-65, Ross Bain (SCO) 68-67, Yasin Ali (ENG) 66-69
137 - Simon Dunn (SCO) 68-69
138 - Arjun Singh (IND) 70-68, Scott Strange (AUS) 67-71, Huang Ming-jie (CHN) 67-71, Anthony Kang (USA) 70-68, Danny Chia (MAS) 67-71
139 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 68-71, Kane Webber (AUS) 70-69
140 - Li Chao (CHN) 70-70, Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 72-68, Lu Wei-lan (TPE) 70-70, Gerald Rosales (PHI) 68-72, Adam Blyth (AUS) 69-71, Tony Lascuna (PHI) 68-72, Suk Jong-yul (KOR) 68-72, Gurbaaz Mann (IND) 74-66
141 - Thammanoon Srirot (THA) 73-68, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 72-69, David Freeman (HKG) 71-70, Prom Meesawat (THA) 72-69, Wu As-hun [A] (CHN) 70-71, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 73-68, Adam Le Vesconte (AUS) 68-73, Kevin Chun (NZL) 72-69, Digvijay Singh (IND) 70-71, Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 72-69
142 - Chen Tze-chung (TPE) 70-72, Simon Griffiths (ENG) 73-69, Michael Wright (AUS) 70-72, Chan Song (KOR) 72-70, Somkiat Srisanga (THA) 68-74, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 73-69, Jason King (AUS) 74-68, Brad Iles (NZL) 70-72, Liao Gui-ming (CHN) 72-70
143 - Zhang Lian-Wei (CHN) 72-71, Unho Park (AUS) 72-71, Corey Harris (USA) 73-70, Gary Rusnak (USA) 69-74, Andy Martin (AUS) 71-72, Gavin Flint (AUS) 72-71, Ari Savolainen (FIN) 72-71, Garth Mulroy (RSA) 71-72

October 13, 2006

Bookmark page with:

Return to Top of Page