Raphael Jacquelin fired a second-round three-under-par 69 to open a three-shot advantage at the $2,3-million Asian Open on Friday, the Frenchman leading a tournament at the halfway stage for the second week in a row.
The 32-year-old, who led by two strokes at the same stage of last week’s China Open, made the most of balmy afternoon conditions to stretch his overnight advantage by two shots with a steady round that included five birdies and a couple of bogeys.
”We’ve been really lucky this afternoon because the wind died on the back nine,” Jacquelin said.
”I’m going to play exactly the same tomorrow [Saturday] … if the weather stays good we’re going to have to go a bit low to win so the putter’s going to have to be a bit hot.”
South Korean Lee Sung-man shot a 70 for second place ahead of a group of five players in third on five under, including eight-time European money leader Colin Montgomerie and 2004 Asian Open champion Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain.
Dane Soren Kjeldsen and Swede Joakim Backstrom also share second with Australian Scott Hend, while last week’s China Open winner Markus Brier, Briton Simon Dyson and Backtrom’s compatriot, Peter Hanson, are tied for eighth a shot further back.
Jacquelin was second in Portugal at the start of the month and led for the first two rounds before fading in Shanghai last week, but had no real explanation for his recent improved form.
”Just 10 years on the tour maybe?” said the Frenchman, whose one win on the European Tour came in Madrid in 2005.
Els struggles
World number five Ernie Els, who won this tournament by 13 strokes in 2005, continued to struggle with his putting and carded a second 71 for a share of 18th.
”Just not making the putts out there,” the South African said. ”I am playing okay, just not scoring. A little frustrating. One bogey, two birdies, a bit of a boring round really.”
Montgomerie grabbed an eagle at the par five 15th on his way to second-round 70, while Jimenez carded a 69 in the morning when the breeze was still whipping across the Tomson course.
”I’ll need a low one tomorrow. I’m playing okay,” Montgomerie said.
European Tour rookie Kyron Sullivan looked to be on for a 64 after an eagle and six birdies put him eight-under for the day approaching the 18th, but a double bogey at the last left him at three under. ”It was a shame as I really got it going with an eagle at the fifth,” the Welshman said. ”Holed a four iron from 187 yards into the wind.”
Only Liang Wenchong and Zhang Liangwei of the 18 Chinese in the field will play this weekend at the co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour event after the cut was set at two over.
Two-time Major winner John Daly will also have the weekend off after shooting a 76 to finish 11-over.
”The fairways were too narrow for me,” the big-hitting American told reporters. ”I had nowhere to hit the golf ball. This is not even fun for me.” — Reuters