Goosen takes lead into the weekend

US Open champion Retief Goosen has surged to the front of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth, shooting a four-under 68 to take narrow lead over first round leader Thongchai Jaidee.

While those around him floundered in the afternoon wind, Goosen turned on the magic with an outward 32. On the rare occasion the South African found trouble on the Lake Karrinyup layout, he simply played himself out of it.

After finding a greenside trap with his second to the par-5 15th, Goosen played a superb sand wedge to within inches of the cup. The resultant birdie took him to six-under for the day.

Had he not shot consecutive bogeys on 16 and 17, he would have taken a three-shot-lead into the weekend. In the end he had to be content with a one-shot break as his form faded with the Perth sunlight.

A measure of the difficulty of the course is the fact that at the halfway stage of the rich tournament only seven players find themselves at better than even par.

While two big name withdrawals, dual Australian Open winner Aaron Baddeley and Scot Colin Montgomerie, were making headlines off the course, it was Steve Alker that was making the early headlines on it with a blistering seven-under round in the morning to get to four-under for the tournament.

Alker shot 65 to roar up into third position behind Goosen and Thongchai. Alker’s round was bogey-free and included seven birdies, with three in succession on the back nine.

Alker hit all but one fairway in today’s round while having eight fewer putts than he did yesterday. The Kiwi capitalised on a promising start by birdying 14, 15 and 16 before parring his last two holes.

“The difference between today and yesterday was purely some putts. I was a little more patient out there today. It is the type of golf course that does not have a lot of birdies out there,” Alker said.

Overnight leader Thongchai was steady, if unspectacular today, maintaining his position at minus-five. His two-over outward nine was negated by his two-under inward nine. Playing partner Sergio Garcia had a frustrating round, but fought back well with birdies late in his round to finish two-under, four off the pace.

Like Alker, Swede Pierre Fulke made the most of an early start to post a two-under score of 70 after an even par effort yesterday.

South Africa's 'Big Easy' Ernie Els also made some ground on the leaders, finishing with a 71 today to take him to one-under for the tournament in equal fifth place with the Australian Craig Jones. Els said the lack of low scores was a reflection of the difficulty of the tournament.

“It is like playing a major out there really. It is like a US Open or a very difficult Masters. Some of those bunkers seem like they are almost in the fairways, so it is very difficult to keep the ball in play,” Els said.

Meanwhile, Michael Campbell had an horrific day, shooting an 80 to drop well back in the field.

Of the other big names, Nick Faldo goes into the weekend even with the card, while countryman Justin Rose improved on his 78 yesterday by shooting a one-under round of 71.

Australian Craig Parry also got himself back in the hunt by shooting a 69 to take him to three-over for the tournament. Similarly Peter Lonard, whose 68 in the morning ensured his participation on the weekend.

Compatriot Adam Scott, meanwhile, struggled and dropped to four-over, three clear of the expected cut.

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