Miguel Angel Jimenez snapped his putter in half in an angry outburst, but his wedge proved a perfect replacement as the Spaniard earned a share of the lead at the Volvo Golf Champions event on Friday.
Jimenez, non-plussed by missing a number of putts, hurled his putter at his golf bag after recording a par at the 13th hole at the Royal Golf Club course. The unfortunate putter broke on impact.
Under the Rules of Golf, Jimenez was not allowed to replace the putter and instead he putted out over the closing five holes using a wedge.
The 47-year-old had taken 22 putts up until the incident and proceeded to remarkably take just seven more in a total of 29 putts for his second round of 65, which earned a four-way share of the lead on 11-under.
“I’m thinking now I might start using my lob wedge, as I made a birdie with that one,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez shares the lead with Sweden’s Peter Hanson (67), Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin (65) and Italy’s Edoardo Molinari (65).
Hanson eagled the ninth and then birdied four holes in succession from the 11th.
“I’m really looking forward to the weekend and being backup in contention and hopefully another solid round tomorrow, and then it’s going to be very interesting come Sunday,” the Swede said. “I don’t think anyone is going to run away with this event tomorrow.”
Four players — Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, England’s Paul Casey, South African James Kingston and Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher (64) — are well placed sharing fifth place at 10-under-par.
Overnight leader Johan Edfors of Sweden remains well in frame to end a five-year winless drought despite slipping into a share of ninth place at nine-under-par with Italy’s Francesco Molinari.
Edfors could only add a 71 to his opening round of 64, but was pleased to be heading to the weekend just two strokes from the lead.
“One-under-par was not a good score on this golf course today and it’s just that I didn’t hit my driver all that well,” he said. “That hurt me a lot and I also didn’t putt that well. But I am still in good shape.”
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