South Africa’s James Kingston added an even-par 70 to his opening round of 65 to share the lead at the Mallorca Open with Sweden’s Pelle Edberg at the halfway stage on Friday.
They were three clear of the field, with Welshman Stuart Manley’s 68 bringing him into a tie for third on two-under with Spaniards Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Alejandro Canizares.
Edberg, 31, carded an impressive second round 64, the lowest of his career, despite the cold and windy conditions.
Edberg, out in 32, before picking up further shots on the fifth, sixth and eighth, was on the last fairway when a thunderstorm halted play for more than two hours.
“I got a par on the last hole that felt like a birdie,” said the Swede, who lost his European Tour card six months ago. “The thunderstorm was pretty close when we stopped, so I couldn’t finish the hole. I had 165m to the pin on the ninth and was practicing with a seven iron, but when I got back on the course after the delay it was a soft nine-iron. It was crazy. Even that pitched by the hole and finished 15m behind. I didn’t expect 64, but I played really well tee-to-green and gave myself opportunities.”
At the end of the day only seven players were under par, England’s Andrew Marshall and Scot Jamie McLeary both scoring 69 to stand one-under.
“The course has become a monster. It’s brutal out there,” Marshall said.
■TEXAS OPEN
AFP, SAN ANTONIO, Texas
Thunderstorms on Friday forced the postponement of the entire second round of the Texas Open to yesterday morning.
More than 5cm of rain fell during the downpours and officials finally called off any attempt to play after delays of more than seven hours. More storms are in the forecast for today.
Australian Matt Jones fired a six-under 66 on Thursday to grab the lead after the opening round, one stroke ahead of Paul Stankowski of the US, with Americans J.B. Holmes, Matt Weibring, Steve Lowery and Charley Hoffman on 68.
India’s Arjun Atwal was on 69, along with Americans Joe Durant, Steve Flesch and Brett Wetterich.
Two-time defending champion Zach Johnson of the US opened with an 80.
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