American Jim Furyk shot a one-under-par 71 to maintain the lead in the second round of the US$5.75 million Chevron World Challenge on Friday.
The first-round leader, Furyk is at five-under 139, while South Korea’s K.J. Choi, Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas are two shots adrift. Steve Stricker and Fred Couples are three strokes back at two-under.
Furyk was bogey-free until the last hole when he failed to make a 10-foot par putt after landing in the bunker on his approach.
PHOTO: AFP
Until the miscue on the final hole Furyk was error free, making birdies on the ninth and 16th hole. The 16th hole was his first birdie on a par five in 10 chances.
Unlike the first round when many of the players struggled in the colder conditions, the weather was pleasant and nine players finished under par for the two days.
■VOLVO MASTERS
AFP, BANGKOK
The season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia was left hanging on a knife edge after the third round ended with five players tied for the lead yesterday.
Overnight leader Lam Chih Bing of Singapore battled to an even par 72 at Thai Country Club and was joined at the top of the leaderboard on nine-under-par 207 by David Gleeson of Australia, who equaled the course record 63, compatriot Marcus Both (70) and Thai duo Chapchai Nirat (70) and Chawalit Plaphol (69).
Lin Wen-tang of Taiwan shot a 72 to be joint eighth on six under.
Lam, who led by two strokes after the third round, posted four birdies against as many bogeys as he failed to pull clear of the chasing pack in the US$750,000 event.
■SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN
AFP, PEARL VALLEY, SOUTH AFRICA
Michael Lorenzo-Vera of France climbed to the top of the South African Open leaderboard Friday after shooting a 65 to lie 12 under par for the tournament. Lorenzo-Vera enjoys a two-shot lead at the par-72 Pearl Valley Golf Estates course over Lee Westwood of England, Damien McGrane of Ireland and South African duo Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel.
The 23-year-old Frenchman scored five birdies on the front nine and two on the back nine.
Els’ second 67 in a row left him strongly positioned to capture his fifth SA Open title.
McGrane shot a spectacular 64, with a 30 on his front nine, while Schwartzel’s 65 also left him two off the pace.
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