World No. 6 Louis Oosthuizen ended the second round with a real flourish to complete a bogey-free 64 and seize a one-stroke lead in the Volvo Champions on Friday at the Durban Country Club.
Britain’s Scott Jamieson, who also recorded a 64, was one behind on 11-under 133 alongside overnight leader Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand (68).
Six shots adrift in a share of fourth place on 139 were British pair Paul Lawrie (70) and Danny Willett (70), Frenchman Julien Quesne (67), Ireland’s Shane Lowry (69), Dane Thomas Bjorn (70) and Jeev Milkha Singh of India (70).
Photo: AFP
Oosthuizen got his round going by holing a 15-foot putt for birdie at the third.
The South African picked up another shot at the fourth before he rattled off three consecutive birdies from the seventh to go out in 31.
The 30-year-old Oosthuizen then missed a short birdie chance at the 16th before sinking birdie putts of 45 and 25 feet at the 17th and 18th.
The second round offered something a little different, the professionals competing in a pro-am alongside the main event.
Oosthuizen and playing partner Thongchai were victorious and the sponsors agreed to exchange the South African’s prize of a car for the mechanical digger he has coveted for the last two years.
“I’m walking away with a nice gift for my farm. It’s going to be a lot of fun to be playing around with it,” Oosthuizen said.
Sony Open
AFP, HONOLULU
US PGA Tour rookie Russell Henley carded a sparkling 63 on Friday to seize a two-shot lead in the US$5.6 million Sony Open.
Henley, playing his first tournament as a tour member, had a two-round total of 14-under par 126 — breaking the 36-hole record at this tournament by two strokes.
He teed off on 10 on the par-70 Waialae Country Club course and notched seven birdies without a bogey to separate himself from playing partner and fellow rookie Scott Langley and Scott Piercy.
Langley, the overnight leader after a first-round 62, carded a 66 for 128. Piercy joined him on 12-under with a second straight 64.
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