Australia’s Matt Griffin shot a three-under-par 68 to take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Australian PGA yesterday.
First round leader Han Min-kyu, who fired 11 birdies and two bogeys in Thursday’s first round in a course record nine-under par at the Hyatt Regency resort course in Queensland, crashed to a four-over par 75 yesterday.
Despite his poor round, South Korean Han was still in a tie for fifth, a stroke behind second-placed Australian trio Stuart Appleby (69), Jason Norris (67) and Geoff Ogilvy (66), who are one shot behind Griffin.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Griffin said of his one-shot lead at seven-under par 135. “To be in the final groups at a big tournament in Australia, probably since I was about five has been my dream so to be able to do that will be a lot of fun. I think I will be really nervous tomorrow. I don’t know how much sleep I will get tonight.”
Taiwan’s Chan Shih-ching carded 70 and was tied for eighth, along with Australia’s Robert Allenby, who shot 68 and is seeking his fourth Australian PGA title.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
■DUBAI LADIES
AP, DUBAI
Kim In-kyung shot a bogey-free 7-under 65 on Thursday to build a two-shot lead over Michelle Wie at the halfway point of the Dubai Ladies Masters.
The South Korean, who won the Longs Drugs Challenge this year, believes she could have done even better.
“I feel very happy with my round but I had some more chances for birdies,” said Kim, who leads at 135.
Wie, who scored 113 out of 120 in her statistics exams, shot a 68. Tania Elosegui (66), who made a hole-in-one on the seventh hole, and Amy Yang are a shot behind Wie.
Wie started with three straight birdies but missed chances on the final three holes.
“I feel like I’m having a lot of fun on the golf course. But I also feel like I’m playing pretty consistent,” Wie said. “I want to make a lot more birdies and keep playing better every day.”
■ALFRED DUNHILL
AP, MALELANE, SOUTH AFRICA
Ulrich van den Berg of South Africa shot an 8-under 64 Thursday to lead by one stroke after the opening round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship.
He was followed by Pelle Edberg of Sweden. Titch Moore of South Africa and Edoardo Molinari of Italy each shot a 66 on the Leopard Creek Country Club course in the opening event on the European Tour’s 2010 Race to Dubai.
Ernie Els of South Africa shot a 68, while compatriot Thomas Aiken had a hole-in-one on the 12th. Els was one stroke behind a group of nine players on five-under 67.
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