Italy’s Francesco Molinari clung to a one-shot lead over new world No. 1 Lee Westwood at the halfway stage of the HSBC Champions yesterday, shooting a two-under-par 70 in Shanghai.
Lurking just two shots off the lead at the US$7 million tournament is three-time major winner Ernie Els of South Africa, whose 65 saw him move into joint third at the Sheshan International Golf Club An inconsistent round of 72 from world No. 2 Tiger Woods, who lost his top ranking this week, saw him slip down the leaderboard.
Molinari was unable to match his sizzling opening-round 65 as the wind picked up yesterday, but held onto top spot at an overall nine under par.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“I probably didn’t hit the ball as well as yesterday. So I think two under for today was a good score,” the Italian said. “I had to work a little bit harder to save some pars. So all in all I’m happy with the nine-under total.”
England’s Westwood also carded a 70 to stay in second place at eight under in his first tournament since he ended Woods’ five-year reign as the world’s top-ranked player.
Westwood has played only sparingly in the past few months because of a calf injury and said he was pleased with a performance that has seen only two bogeys so far in the tournament.
“It’s a good performance the first two rounds to come back to,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect and I’m pleasantly surprised with how well I’ve played.”
Els pumped his fist after thrilling the crowd with a chip-in for birdie on the fifth hole — one of five birdies on the front nine and eight overall. He moved up to a tie for third at seven under with compatriot Jaco van Zyl, who shot up the board with a six-under 66, and Scotland’s Richard Ramsay (68).
Woods was followed by thousands of adoring Chinese fans, who snaked around the course with him, cheering every good shot.
He was unlucky to lip out several putts to card five bogeys on the way to a second-round even-par 72.
“Well, today [I] struggled a little bit. Didn’t hit it very good and had a couple three-putts there and had five lip-outs. So the score could have been worse, but also it could have been a lot better,” he said.
Woods has lost his dominating form since a scandal erupted last year over his extra-marital affairs, wrecking his marriage and severely tarnishing his image.
He slipped into a tie for ninth place at four under with several other players including fellow American and defending HSBC champion Phil Mickelson.
A win at Sheshan would give any of the world’s top four players — Westwood, Woods, Germany’s Martin Kaymer and Mickelson — the top ranking.
Kaymer is three under for the tournament after shooting a 69.
Noh Seung-yul of South Korea kept Asian hopes alive, following his opening-round 67 with an even par 72 to stay four strokes off the lead at five under. He was one of several players to blame the wind for his higher score.
“It’s OK. There’s still everything to play for and I’ll do well this weekend,” said the 19-year-old Asian Tour order of merit leader.
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