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Garcia one clear of Norman

Tournament host Greg Norman turns 46 tomorrow but 21 year-old Sergio Garcia will be trying to curb the celebrations when the two go head to head at the Greg Norman Holden International at the Lakes in Sydney.

Garcia maintained his overnight lead with a four-under round of 69 to move to 13-under, one clear of Norman, who overcame a bogey and a double bogey on the front nine for a 68.

Norman is a stroke ahead of Aaron Baddeley who held the lead after the morning rounds on minus-11 after adding a 68 to go with his opening round 67. He will play alongside Welshman Phillip Price tomorrow who birdied the last today for a share of third spot at the par 73 course.

However, tournament favourite Michael Campbell is out, missing the two-under cut by a stroke while defending champion Lucas Parsons came from the clouds with a sizzling eight-under 65 to move back into contention on minus seven.

After going without a tournament victory since winning this tournament three years ago, Norman was happy to once again be back in contention especially after a horror patch today that included a double bogey at four and a bogey at six.

“I’m in the hunt hopefully its like riding a bike, to get yourself back into contention and that you stay in there, I hit a lot of good quality shots today compared to yesterday and I started to get some pretty good timing with my putter so if that works in for the next two days I’ll be happy.”

“After mistakes at four and six, my concentration going up really meant a lot to me, all my work was starting to pay off in certain regards.”

Norman has been able to manage two rounds in the 60s despite numerous business commitments that included a flight up to the Hunter Valley to inspect one of his golf courses yesterday.

“I actually do it (practice) in the room in the morning. I just work on my swing in my head, think what I did the day before and practice for about an hour before I leave the hotel room.”

Norman was lifting the second of his British Open trophies when he first came to Garcia’s attention in 1993 with the Spaniard only 13 at the time.

Garcia, out on the course in the afternoon with the wind blowing. didn’t have it as easy as he did on day one when he carded a 63. However, he again entertained the crowd with attacking play and some great putting which included a 35 footer from the edge of the green on the par four 13th.

“I’m just a little disappointed with my finish. I shot 69, I think it is a pretty good round four-under but I still made three, three putts so it could have been a lot better but that’s the way it goes sometimes.

Baddeley carded two eagles, two birdies and a solitary bogey in his round held his game together despite frustration on the front nine but he is confident he can keep his game together over the weekend.

“I will have to keep playing well, just keep hitting good shots and keep putting well. That is the key. I am looking forward to the weekend and hopefully I’ll be right there on Sunday afternoon.”

“I had a dodgy patch there three through to five. I holed a couple of good par putts and got up and down from 105 yards on two so I saved it pretty well out there. I tried to stay patient and made an eagle on eight which was nice.”

As well as Baddeley Australian talent shone like a beacon during the morning rounds. James McLean and Nathan Green, part of Australia’s current production line of hot prospects were the big movers surging up the leader board to ten-under where they were later joined by Pierre Fulke.

McLean who has been at college in Minnesota over the past two years carded a six-under 67, all his birdies coming in the first ten holes, while Green, who conquered blustery conditions for a first round 67, followed it up with a 69 today.

For Green, who plays out of Waratah golf course in Newcastle, it was a welcome return to form and he is happy to be in background while the likes of Baddeley and Scott steal the headlines in Australia.

“It is good to sneak around them and make a little bit on the side. I am not used to being in the limelight.”

“Before Christmas I felt that I was not going to make another cut in my life. But as soon as you start playing well it does seem pretty easy.”

A shot further behind on minus nine is Baddeley’s friend and rival Adam Scott who shares equal eighth spot with Craig Parry and Englishman Daren Lee.

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