Goosen vaults into lead with 66

U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen fought off fatigue to fire a best-of-the-week 66 on the treacherous Smurfit course and grab a two-shot lead in the European Open second round.

Goosen's six-under broke the new European Tour layout's record as he moved to nine-under-par 135, two shots ahead of one of the three overnight leaders, Maarten Lafeber of the Netherlands.

Lafeber carded a respectable 70 in wet and windy conditions, while former European Open winner Lee Westwood, who had the worst of the wet and windy conditions in the afternoon was a further shot back in third.

On Wednesday Goosen ruled out his chances in his first tournament since winning his second U.S. Open crown at Shinnecock Hills a fortnight ago because of fatigue.

Having not even opened his golf bag until Tuesday, he said he was looking on this week as 'just a stroll' but six birdies without dropping a shot, showed he was far from just strolling.

"It wasn't an easy stroll," joked Goosen. "With the weather the way it was I'd rather be strolling somewhere else," the South African added.

"It was playing tough out there, the wind was maybe even a bit stronger and certainly colder."

After he posted a 69 in the first round, to be two shots off the lead, Goosen felt that four 69s would be good enough to win and, despite his faultless showing, would not change that view.

"The pin positions were tougher and it's only going to get tougher at the weekend, so 12-under is still probably going to be a good winning score."

Goosen is seventh in the world rankings and back-to-back victories will only enhance his position, but he conceded he has a long way to go to catch number one Tiger Woods.

"Everyone wants to see if they can be the best player in the world but at the moment I'm a long way behind Tiger.

"Winning gives you points so you have to play your game and see what happens."

Second placed Lafeber, returning to form after going through illness and a family bereavement, is still a threat to Goosen as he bids for his second tour title, but the Dutchman was left marvelling at the man in front of him.

"He's played unbelievable golf because the pins are quite tricky today as well as the weather not being good.

"That's why he's U.S. Open champion, all credit to him."

Westwood, having to withstand buffeting heavy squalls, considered his two 69s were the best he had played all year.

"I stayed calm and patient and didn't get upset with the conditions," said Westwood.

Australian Nick O'Hern, co-leader overnight, shot a 72 to lie four strokes off the lead, while the afternoon winds and downpours ruined the chances of Westwood's playing-partners Colin Montgomerie, who slumped 10-over with an 82, and Jose Maria Olazabal, who only missed the cut by a stroke on six-over.

"I just got blown away out there and to do this for another two days would probably have been detrimental to Loch Lomond and the (British) Open," said Montgomerie.

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