2007 HSBC Champions - Round 2: Stadler leads by one from menacing Mickelson

Kevin Stadler of United States fired a three-under-par 69 and grabbed a one stroke lead over American star Phil Mickelson in the second round at the HSBC Champions on Friday.

Stadler, with four wins on the Nationwide Tour, took a one stroke lead after an 11-under-par 133 total over three-time Major winner Mickelson who closed the gap with birdies on the last three holes for a bogey free 66 at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

Asian Tour’s Simon Yates of Scotland blasted a similar score as he leaped up to tied third position alongside Englishman Ross Fisher who carded a 68 in the US$5 million event. Fijian world no. 10 Vijay Singh posted a 70, four strokes off the pace,s together with South African Andrew McLardy who recorded a 69 in joint fifth place.

Filipino veteran Frankie Minoza, who won the Philippine Open in February, remained steady with a 70 for a 139 total and was tied alongside England’s Steve Webster who shot a similar score. Defending champion Yang Yong-eun and South African Louis Oosthuizen fired matching 68s while Englishman Paul Casey carded a 71 as overnight leader Niclas Fasth of Sweden slipped to tied seventh spot after a 75.

Stadler, who has won two international titles, remained calm on course and enjoyed a strong finish with an eagle at the par four 16th hole, coupled with a birdie on the final 18th hole.

“The eagle was great. It was a matter of luck really. I don't really like laying back there, and I hit driver and pitched just short of the green and popped up. I was trying to get it around the green and very lucky to get it on and had about 20 feet and knocked it in,” said Stadler, who won the 2006 Johnnie Walker Classic.

“I was happy to be where I am at right now, but obviously I'm going to have to go forward to keep progressing. The wind was pretty strong, pretty fresh all day long. I thought the pins were a lot tougher today, noticeably tougher. Just very happy to shoot the score I did. I was kind of plodding along at even par most of the day and I was able to get a few late to make it a good round,” admitted the American talent, who shot an eagle and three birdies against two bogeys for the day.

World number two Mickelson, with 32 wins on the US PGA Tour, crept up behind Stadler thanks to a solid run in the closing stages with birdies on the 14th, 16th , 17th and 18th holes.

“It was a good day today. It started off very windy. Towards the end, though, it seemed to calm down a little bit, and it was nice to finish with a couple of birdies. I made a few putts coming in and that feels good heading into the weekend.

“I struggled last week driving the golf ball, and today and yesterday I drove it very well and I kept it in play. If I missed, I missed it in a place I was still able to play from. I think that was the biggest element because I was able to play aggressive and try to make birdies. I didn't have a bogey today which was a good thing, too,” said the lefthander, who carded six birdies in the second round.

Scotsman Yates, who is enjoying a solid season on the Asian Tour with six top-10 finishes, remained in contention as he carded seven birdies against a lone dropped shot and was three strokes behind the leader.

“I played really, really good. I hit fairways. I hit a lot of greens just like yesterday, I think I missed two greens yesterday and two greens today. So tee‑to‑green, I've been playing really nicely.

“It’s a course that suits my eye. Like last week in Singapore, I missed the cut three years in a row there and nothing suits my eye there. But here, I hit a lot of fairways and just feel good over the ball when standing and looking at the golf course.

“I feel like it's not playing overly difficult, but to be fair I've driven the ball extremely well the first two days. So if you drive it well around here, you're going to score well because the rough is pretty penal,” said Yates, who is also an avid race-car driver.

A total of 67 players made the cut over the weekend that included China’s top golfer Liang Wen-chong who was even-par for the day in joint 18th place for a 141 total while a stroke back was Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat who carded a 73.

“The wind was much stonger than yesterday and it made the course more difficult and challenging. I have to be more precise in my driving. I am actually surprised with my score as I would normally be affected by strong wind. I guess it’s a bit of luck and also how to perform well in the game. I had made it through yesterday and today again, so I am looking forward to the next two rounds. I hope I can have a relaxed approach over the weekend,” said Liang, who leads the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit race.

Leading second round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

133 - Kevin Stadler (USA) 64-69
134 - Phil Mickelson (USA) 68-66
136 - Ross Fisher (ENG) 68-68, Simon Yates (SCO) 70-66
137 - Vijay Singh (FIJ) 67-70, Andrew Mclardy (RSA) 68-69
139 - Niclas Fasth (SWE) 64-75, Paul Casey (ENG) 68-71, Steve Webster (ENG) 69-70, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 69-70, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 71-68, Yang Yong-eun (KOR) 71-68
140 - Padraig Harrington (IRL) 68-72, Angel Cabrera (ARG) 68-72, Richard Sterne (RSA) 68-72, Brett Rumford (AUS) 69-71, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 70-70
141 - Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 69-72, Nick Dougherty (ENG) 71-70, Nathan Green (AUS) 73-68
142 - Scott Sterling (AUS) 69-73, Markus Brier (AUT) 69-73, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 69-73, Jose Manuel Lara (ESP) 70-72, Anders Hansen (DEN) 70-72

November 9, 2007

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