McIlroy hangs on to HK Open lead
Source: Agencies |
December 3, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RORY McIlroy of Northern Ireland retained a share of the lead at the Hong Kong Open yesterday after shooting a second round 1-under 69 for a halfway total of 7-under 133.
McIlroy is joined at the top of the leaderboard by Alvaro Quiros of Spain who also carded a 69.
Thailand's Panupol Pittayarat and Scotland's Richie Ramsay are a shot back in joint second, after shooting second-round scores of 65 and 66, respectively.
US Open champion McIlroy had the chance to grab the outright lead at the last hole, but missed a four-foot putt for par to finish an up-and-down round with a bogey, his second over the last three holes.
McIlroy blamed his poor finish on a hectic schedule that he said was self-inflicted.
"I'm mentally and physically fatigued and it showed in a couple of tired swings toward the end. But I don't think the season was long, I made the season long for myself. It was not as if I was obligated to play," said McIlroy, whose round included four birdies and three bogeys.
McIlroy has had a busy two months, figuring in a number of lucrative unsanctioned events including the Shanghai Masters where he won golf's richest purse of US$2 million. The 22-year-old also figured in a week-long jaunt across China where he played 18 holes spread across seven cities.
"The last 10 weeks has been long. It has been an experience, something I can learn from in the future," McIlroy said. "It is all a matter of rest. I had two weeks off in the Maldives in-between the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and the World Cup (in Hainan last week) but I got sick during this time and I was on the drip for three days," he added.
McIlroy shot a flawless opening round of 64, but despite failing to find his touch in the second, still managed to go below par to remain in contention.
"I was not feeling myself today. I didn't feel as if I played as well as yesterday. It's just my energy levels are low. But it is all not bad. I'm still tied for the lead," said McIlroy.
Panupol, a last-minute entry, led Asia's challenge after he shot a sparkling second round of 65 that included an eagle and three birdies.
Two-time Hong Kong Open champion Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and New Zealand's Danny Lee were two shots behind the leaders on 5-under 135.
David Horsey of Britain, who had a share of the lead after the opening day alongside McIlroy and Quiros, slipped to 4-under 136 after a poor second round of 72 to lie three strokes adrift.
In Christchurch, two-time PGA Tour winner Craig Parry finished with three birdies in a 3-under 69 to grab a share of a three-way lead at the New Zealand Open.
The 45-year-old Australian, the 2002 New Zealand Open champion, followed his first-round 70 with a second round which included five birdies and two bogeys to join compatriot and overnight leader Brad Kennedy and New Zealand's Josh Geary in the lead at 5 under.
McIlroy is joined at the top of the leaderboard by Alvaro Quiros of Spain who also carded a 69.
Thailand's Panupol Pittayarat and Scotland's Richie Ramsay are a shot back in joint second, after shooting second-round scores of 65 and 66, respectively.
US Open champion McIlroy had the chance to grab the outright lead at the last hole, but missed a four-foot putt for par to finish an up-and-down round with a bogey, his second over the last three holes.
McIlroy blamed his poor finish on a hectic schedule that he said was self-inflicted.
"I'm mentally and physically fatigued and it showed in a couple of tired swings toward the end. But I don't think the season was long, I made the season long for myself. It was not as if I was obligated to play," said McIlroy, whose round included four birdies and three bogeys.
McIlroy has had a busy two months, figuring in a number of lucrative unsanctioned events including the Shanghai Masters where he won golf's richest purse of US$2 million. The 22-year-old also figured in a week-long jaunt across China where he played 18 holes spread across seven cities.
"The last 10 weeks has been long. It has been an experience, something I can learn from in the future," McIlroy said. "It is all a matter of rest. I had two weeks off in the Maldives in-between the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and the World Cup (in Hainan last week) but I got sick during this time and I was on the drip for three days," he added.
McIlroy shot a flawless opening round of 64, but despite failing to find his touch in the second, still managed to go below par to remain in contention.
"I was not feeling myself today. I didn't feel as if I played as well as yesterday. It's just my energy levels are low. But it is all not bad. I'm still tied for the lead," said McIlroy.
Panupol, a last-minute entry, led Asia's challenge after he shot a sparkling second round of 65 that included an eagle and three birdies.
Two-time Hong Kong Open champion Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and New Zealand's Danny Lee were two shots behind the leaders on 5-under 135.
David Horsey of Britain, who had a share of the lead after the opening day alongside McIlroy and Quiros, slipped to 4-under 136 after a poor second round of 72 to lie three strokes adrift.
In Christchurch, two-time PGA Tour winner Craig Parry finished with three birdies in a 3-under 69 to grab a share of a three-way lead at the New Zealand Open.
The 45-year-old Australian, the 2002 New Zealand Open champion, followed his first-round 70 with a second round which included five birdies and two bogeys to join compatriot and overnight leader Brad Kennedy and New Zealand's Josh Geary in the lead at 5 under.
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