Martin Kaymer’s attempt to end Tiger Woods’ five-year reign as the world’s top-ranked golfer got off to a slow start at the Andalucia Masters on Thursday.
The German needs to win the tournament, or finish in second place in a tie with no more than one other player, but could only manage an opening round of 72, leaving him six shots adrift of leader Pablo Larazabal.
Larazabal of Spain broke two shots clear of the field with birdies at the 16th and 17th holes after a bogey-free round of 66, with Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and Ireland’s Damien McGrane sharing second place after 68s.
Kaymer said before the tournament his priority was winning Europe’s second Race to Dubai money list, but that could be in jeopardy after McDowell’s strong opening round.
The Northern Irishman currently lies second in the table, behind Kaymer, but if the US Open champion could win tomorrow’s first prize, the gap would close with four big money events still to be played.
However, McDowell, whose own 68 included three birdies and no bogeys, said afterwards that it was too early to write off Kaymer’s chances of winning his fourth straight strokeplay tournament.
“Martin is never very far away from playing well,” he said. “And although he hit a few loose shots he generally hung in pretty well.”
McDowell may not be the only Northern Irish golfer to present a threat to Kaymer over the remaining three rounds. Gareth Maybin is also in the top six, along with Ireland’s McGrane and Michael Hoey.
ASIA-PACIFIC CLASSIC
AFP, KUALA LUMPUR
Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul and American Ben Crane stormed to the top of the leaderboard after the second round of the CIMB Asia-Pacific Classic in steaming hot conditions yesterday.
Pariya, who made his breakthrough on the Asian Tour with victory at the Taiwan Masters this month, played a composed game to shoot a six-under-par 65 for a 131 total at the PGA Tour’s inaugural event in Southeast Asia.
Crane, playing in Malaysia for the first time, carded seven birdies in his bogey-free round of 64 to head into the weekend 11-under for the tournament.
They are a stroke clear of first round leader Ricky Barnes (69) and fellow American Ryan Moore (68).
Sweden’s Carl Pettersson is on his own in fifth, two off the pace, while Australia’s Adam Scott fired a blistering 65 for a share of sixth with Luke Donald and D.J. Trahan.
Evergreen South African Ernie Els is seven-under after stroking 68 to go with his first-round 67.
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