Peter Hedblom of Sweden birdied seven of the last 11 holes for a seven-under 65 at Wentworth on Friday to take a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the BMW Championship.
Paul McGinley’s 64 gave him the lead for several hours at eight-under 136 for the tournament before Hedblom’s charge left him at 133.
Nick O’Hern of Australia was seven-under after a 69, and Padraig Harrington (68) and Peter Hanson (69) were tied for fourth another shot back.
Former British Open champion Ben Curtis shot 71 to tie with three others at five-under, and Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie needed late birdie runs to make cut.
Afterward, both said the greens — particularly the 17th — were ”out of control” and needed watering.
”They have to get water on those greens. They are already getting out of hand,” Els said. ”On the 17th, brown rings are appearing. If the ball lands on them, it’s gone. If it hits a green spot, it might stop.”
Els likened the conditions to those on the last day of last year’s United States Open at Shinnecock Hills, where he said the course was ”out of control”.
Els birdied the last three holes for a 69 that left him at 142, two strokes below the cut at even par. Montgomerie shot a 73 with birdies on the 16th and the parched 17th.
”It’s burnt,” Montgomerie said. ”It’s desperate for water. I couldn’t believe when I saw that green. I’ve never seen it this dry. They should be hosing it now.”
Hedblom birdied holes eight to 12 and made several putts from 10 to 20 feet. He holed one from off the green from 25 feet for birdie at the 17th. He’s seeking his first victory since the 1996 Moroccan Open, which was his only win. He’s also lost in two play-offs, both in 2003.
McGinley just missed the course record of 63, which has been recorded three times. The Irishman missed a nine-foot putt on the final hole that would have tied the record.
”If there was ever a comfortable 64, that was it,” McGinley said. ”I hit every green in regulation apart from the first, where I missed by about two inches and a couple of par-fives which I reached in two.
”I played Wentworth the way it should be played — course management, strategy, good shot-making, knowing what pins to go for and what pin to hit away from,” said the 38-year-old Dubliner, who lives down the road from the course.
Curtis parred the first 10 holes and birdied the 11th. But he could only par the long 12th where others were picking up shots.
”I drove the ball better than yesterday, but I hope I’ll play a little better tomorrow than I did today,” Curtis said. ”I didn’t putt particularly well.” — Sapa-AP