Thongchai takes lead in Dubai
Source: Agencies |
February 6, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
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A PENULTIMATE hole birdie handed Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee a one-stroke lead at the halfway mark of the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates yesterday.
Thongchai carded a six-under 66 to move to eight under par.
Last year's European No. 1 Lee Westwood, fellow Briton Stephen Dodd and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez share second place on seven-under. Defending champion Rory McIlroy, the world No. 9, is one of five players on six-under.
Thongchai, winner of four tournaments on the European Tour, produced a bogey-free second round that included three birdies on each nine.
"I played very consistent today compared to yesterday, and I was very solid today hitting 15 greens in regulation and missing just five fairways," said the 40-year-old Thongchai.
"So I felt very confident today. I am trying every year to get better and better. Over the past four weeks I have also worked hard on my putting and that aspect of my game is also getting better and better."
Westwood moved into contention for a 21st European Tour success with a round of 65.
"It's a goal all the time to get into contention and keep testing yourself and get accustomed to being under pressure," said the world No. 4.
Jimenez capped his round with four birdies in succession from his second hole and has set his sights this year on making a fourth European Ryder Cup team. "I have spoken to (captain Colin Montgomerie) Monty lately but he knows how much I want to be playing in Wales this year," said Jimenez.
McIlroy, in a six-way tie for the lead after the first round, was left ruing a final-hole double bogey after putting his approach shot into the water guarding the par four, ninth hole that he was playing as his 18th.
"Apart from the mistake at the last, it was another really good day's work," he said after a round of 70.
In Los Angeles, American Dustin Johnson putted masterfully to card a bogey-free seven-under 64 and take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Northern Trust Open on Thursday. Johnson shot 32 on both the front and back nines on the par- 71 Riviera Country Club course to finish a stroke above Argentina's Andres Romero and American Kevin Stadler.
Two-time defending champion Phil Mickelson shot a disappointing 72 to fall eight strokes behind Johnson.
Three players -- Alex Prugh, Rickie Fowler and Brett Lederer -- were unable to complete their round due to failing light.
Thongchai carded a six-under 66 to move to eight under par.
Last year's European No. 1 Lee Westwood, fellow Briton Stephen Dodd and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez share second place on seven-under. Defending champion Rory McIlroy, the world No. 9, is one of five players on six-under.
Thongchai, winner of four tournaments on the European Tour, produced a bogey-free second round that included three birdies on each nine.
"I played very consistent today compared to yesterday, and I was very solid today hitting 15 greens in regulation and missing just five fairways," said the 40-year-old Thongchai.
"So I felt very confident today. I am trying every year to get better and better. Over the past four weeks I have also worked hard on my putting and that aspect of my game is also getting better and better."
Westwood moved into contention for a 21st European Tour success with a round of 65.
"It's a goal all the time to get into contention and keep testing yourself and get accustomed to being under pressure," said the world No. 4.
Jimenez capped his round with four birdies in succession from his second hole and has set his sights this year on making a fourth European Ryder Cup team. "I have spoken to (captain Colin Montgomerie) Monty lately but he knows how much I want to be playing in Wales this year," said Jimenez.
McIlroy, in a six-way tie for the lead after the first round, was left ruing a final-hole double bogey after putting his approach shot into the water guarding the par four, ninth hole that he was playing as his 18th.
"Apart from the mistake at the last, it was another really good day's work," he said after a round of 70.
In Los Angeles, American Dustin Johnson putted masterfully to card a bogey-free seven-under 64 and take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Northern Trust Open on Thursday. Johnson shot 32 on both the front and back nines on the par- 71 Riviera Country Club course to finish a stroke above Argentina's Andres Romero and American Kevin Stadler.
Two-time defending champion Phil Mickelson shot a disappointing 72 to fall eight strokes behind Johnson.
Three players -- Alex Prugh, Rickie Fowler and Brett Lederer -- were unable to complete their round due to failing light.
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