| O'Malley
takes narrow advantage Peter
O'Malley of Australia moved a step ahead of the pack on Friday, shooting a 4-under-par
67 to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Murphy's Irish Open. O'Malley
completed the opening round in a five-way tie for the lead and used a round of
five birdies and one bogey on Friday to move to 9-under 133. Defending
champion Colin Montgomerie of Scotland shot his second straight round of 67 and
is one shot behind O'Malley along with Alex Cejka of Germany and Carl Pettersson
of Sweden. O'Malley,
who is chasing his fourth European Tour title, took advantage of the Fota Island
in County Cork course. "I
drove the ball well today," the 37-year-old O'Malley said. "The course
is playing like an Australian course with firm fairways, firm greens and a bit
of wind. I enjoy playing here." O'Malley
is best known for his first win on the European Tour 10 years ago, when he played
7-under over the last five holes to edge Montgomerie for the Scottish Open title. It
could come down to O'Malley and Montgomerie again after Montgomerie birdied four
of the first eight holes to move among the leaders. Montgomerie continues to be
bothered by persistent back problems and was treated by doctors while on the course. "I
had all sorts of problems coming in," said Montgomerie, who also birdied
the last two holes. "I am looking forward to having another couple of 67s
and I believe I can do that." Cejka
shot the best round of the day at 65, putting him in contention for his fourth
European title. His first three wins came in 1995. "I
would love to win on Tour again," said Cejka, who won on the Challenge Tour
two weeks ago. "Hopefully the win in Germany will give me confidence and
if I keep knocking on the door eventually it will open." Five
golfers are two shots off the pace, including England's Lee Westwood, who shot
a 68. Westwood has slumped of late, falling to 95th in the world and failing to
qualify for the recent U.S. Open. Mark
Pilkington of Wales (66), Des Smyth of Ireland (68) and Richard Johnson (67) and
Joakim Haeggman (69) also are at 135. Fred
Funk, who was among the first-round leaders, shot a 70 and is three shots off
the pace. Email
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