Title-holder Retief Goosen turned on the style at the Volkswagen Masters-China on Friday, rattling in a clutch of birdies and eagling the last to take a three-shot halfway lead.
The world number seven, who has had a modest year by his standards, fired seven-under-par 65 for a two-day total of 129 at the Yalong Bay Golf Club.
He lies ahead of Taiwanese overnight leader Lu Wen-teh and 2005 US Open winner Michael Campbell in the $300 000 Asian Tour event.
Australian Marcus Both, Ross Bain of Scotland and Englishman Yasin Ali share fourth place on 135, with Huang Ming-jie the highest placed Chinese in a tie for eighth position on 138.
Goosen overcame a stuttering outward nine before roaring home in 30, including four birdies and a superb eagle at his last hole.
Starting from the 10th, the South African carded three birdies against bogeys on the 16th and 18th before turning on another master-class performance reminiscent of his six-shot triumph in last year’s event.
He signed off in style, ripping a glorious three iron to three feet at the par-five ninth hole for an easy eagle.
”It was an up and down round. The first six holes, I played extremely well. I should have been six under but I couldn’t make a putt. Then I hit it into the water for the second day running on 16 and that kind of stopped the round for the next five or six holes,” said the two-time Major winner.
”I set a goal of finishing at 11-under-par as things weren’t going my way. And then I made a good birdie on number three and four which settled me down and on the last few holes, it all happened.”
The smooth-swinging South African warned his rivals that he could go lower at the weekend as he has not taken advantage of the par fives, playing those holes in two-under-par.
”I think I can [go lower]. If I play the par fives better, I have a chance to get to 22-under,” said Goosen, who triumphed last year with a 22-under-par total.
Campbell is hoping to avenge last year’s loss to Goosen but knows he must avoid late blemishes after bogeying the last two holes for four-under 68.
”I played nicely all day apart from the last two holes. It’s a shame. Bogeying the 17th and 18th always leaves a bad taste in the mouth but there are still two rounds to go,” said the Kiwi star.
The halfway cut was set at one-over-par 145, with 70 players, including China’s amateur Wu As-hun, progressing into the weekend rounds. Wu, preparing for the Asian Games, carded a 71 for tied 23rd place. — Sapa-AFP