Sun, May 31, 2009 page18

• Stricker sets record pace at Colonial

  MISSING OUT: Last year’s Masters champion Trevor Immelman did not make the cut at the Colonial Invitational

  • REUTERS
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  American Steve Stricker, taking advantage of ideal scoring conditions, birdied the last two holes to surge into a one-shot lead in Friday’s second round at the Colonial Invitational.

  One of three players who set the first-round pace, Stricker fired a second consecutive seven-under-par 63 to take control in bright sunshine at Colonial Country Club.

  The four-time PGA Tour winner struck a superb seven-iron approach to three feet at the par-four 18th and knocked in the putt for a record 14-under total of 126.

  

  Steve Stricker hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the second round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Country Club on Friday in Fort Worth, Texas.

  PHOTO: AFP

  South African Tim Clark, co-leader overnight with Stricker and American Woody Austin, was alone in second place after rolling in a 14-footer on the 18th green for a sparkling 64.

  Former world No. 1 Vijay Singh was a further stroke back at 12 under, covering the front nine in a blistering five-under 30 on his way to a 64.

  “I kind of like what’s going on right now,” a beaming Stricker told reporters after eclipsing the previous tournament best of 16-under for 36 holes set by fellow American Kenny Perry in 2005.

  

  Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke relaxes on the 17th tee on Friday at the European Open at The London Club in Ash, England.

  PHOTO: AFP

  “It’s been a lot of fun. I kept the ball in play very well, giving myself a lot of opportunities. I’m rolling the ball very well on the greens and making a lot of putts,” he said.

  In pursuit of his first PGA Tour victory since the 2007 Barclays Classic, Stricker holed five birdie putts from 12 feet or more to remain atop the leaderboard.

  He dropped his only shot of the day at the par-four 15th, where he ended up in a greenside bunker with his approach, but signed off in style with a 15-foot birdie putt on 17 followed by the tap-in at the last.

  “When you can finish off with a couple of birdies, it leaves a good taste in your mouth and makes the rest of the day feel a little bit better,” Stricker said.

  British world No. 3 Paul Casey, the highest-ranked player in a strong field including nine other top 20 players, carded a 67 to lie seven strokes off the pace.

  The cut fell at even-par 140 with 79 players qualifying for the final two rounds. Among those missing out were 20-time PGA Tour winner Davis Love III and last year’s Masters champion Trevor Immelman.

  ■EUROPEAN OPEN

  REUTERS, ASH, ENGLAND

  When European Open organizers grouped Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Ross Fisher together for the first two rounds they probably expected to see all three competing at the weekend.

  However, only world No. 4 Garcia remains in the tournament, by the skin of his teeth after making the cut by a solitary shot.

  For world No. 5 Stenson, a woeful 80 on Friday meant he suffered an early exit for the second week in a row after he also missed out at the PGA Championship at Wentworth.

  The Swede had sympathy for holder Fisher, who slumped out when a double-bogey six at the last hole gave him a 73 and 146.

  “It’s always painful when you’re defending champion,” Stenson told reporters. “You want to play for all four rounds.” As winds gusted around the Kent layout scoring conditions became increasingly difficult, with only five players shooting sub-70 rounds.”

  “The course played much different, it was a totally different wind,” said Spaniard Garcia after carding a 75 for 144, level par. “It was definitely tough.”
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