Lawrie takes lead on another tough day
by Michael Todt 30 November 2012, 16:17
For the second day in a row, the Gary Player Country Club held its own over the 12-strong field in the main event of the Nedbank Golf Challenge with Paul Lawrie finishing day two on Friday on four-under par – good enough for a one stroke lead over Martin Kaymer going into the weekend.
The Scot put on a master-class display in ball-striking, and, but for a few putts that shaved the hole, could have posted a lower number. He will be more than satisfied with his efforts on the day though as he finds himself right where he wants to be.
Kaymer enjoyed a slightly up-and-down round but eventually signed for a creditable 70, and is the Lawrie’s closest challenger at three-under.
Local heroes Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen both currently sit at one-under par, after firing rounds of 71 and 72 respectively. Oosthuizen’s efforts were all the more impressive given that he felt under the weather for much of the day.
The South African duo have Francesco Molinari and overnight co-leader Bill Haas for company at one-under, with Lee Westwood slipping back to even-par for the tournament after a 73 today.
While many of the players struggled in the main event on day two, Bernhard Langer treated the Gary Player Country Club with disdain for the second day in a row as he carded a highly impressive round of 67 to reach nine-under for the tournament and take a four-shot lead over nearest competitor Jay Haas.
The German’s round got off to the best possible start as he began with successive birdies in the first two holes, and he never relinquished the control he had over his game from that point onward. Further birdies at the ninth, 10th and 11th holes kept daylight between him and Americans Haas and Mark Calcavecchia, and he rounded things off beautifully as he holed a 12-foot putt for birdie at the final hole.
For the full story and more, go to the official Nedbank Golf Challenge site
DSTV content
