Cejka vaults into three shot lead

Alex Cejka shrugged off a tight hamstring to take a three-shot lead in the Tournament Players Championship of Europe on Friday and boost his hopes of a place in the Ryder Cup team.

The German plans to play at least the minimum 11 European Tour-counting tournaments that are mandatory to qualify for the match in September and he took full advantage in only his fourth of these with a second round eight-under-par 64.

His two eagles and five birdies helped him to an 11-under-par 133 aggregate, three shots better than in-form Frenchman Gregory Havret and overnight joint leader David Howell of Britain.

Despite an afternoon of strong winds, Havret caught Cejka but then found water on the last to slip back with a triple-bogey.

Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer was the last German to take the TPC of Europe title in Hamburg nine years ago but Cejka is well placed to end his country's barren spell.

"It's a good thing the special events (majors and world golf championships) are counted on both tours," said Cejka.

"That makes playing the 11 events a lot easier. I'm fortunate I'm in them because it makes it a lot easier.

"My priority is to secure my card in America but when that's done I'm coming back to Europe to play more events.

"I have plenty of tournaments to go (in America) but I should make it soon. I have around $400,000 and I think it will be about $600,000 for the card."

The 33-year-old Czech-born German was relieved that his right leg injury was easing after his hamstring tightened up following a run in the gym when his flight from China, where he finished 14th in the Asian Open, last week was delayed.

"I'm a fighter but it was a good job we were playing in Germany this week or I may not have played," he said.

Two South Africans, Trevor Immelman and Louis Oosthuizen, shared fourth place on seven under with Britain's Darren Clarke and New Zealander Stephen Scahill.

South Africa's world number three and tournament favourite Ernie Els stayed at five under, however, after double-bogeying the 17th in the afternoon winds.

Britons Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie, both former European number ones, missed the cut.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page