Goosen lurks as Wilson leads in Phuket
Early trouble: Retief Goosen of South Africa hits from the first hole bunker at the Johnnie Walker Classic golf tournament in Phuket yesterday. Picture: Reuters Retief Goosen of South Africa hits from the first hole bunker at the Johnnie Walker Classic golf tournament in Phuket March 2, 2007. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND)
Saturday, March 3, 2007
RETIEF GOOSEN clawed his way into contention at the Johnnie Walker Classic yesterday, lurking two behind Oliver Wilson who leads by a stroke from South Africa's Anton Haig.
The World No 6 compiled a 68 to sit dangerously in the shadow of the Englishman, who spoiled a perfect score by hitting a bogey on the 18th for a round of 66 to be 10 under for the tournament.
"I'm sure the cream always rises to the top. So you know those big names are going to be coming down the stretch, they are probably going to be around there. I hope I can be in there too and hopefully they will be chasing me," said Wilson.
Haig, who is quickly establishing himself as the next big thing in South African golf, following in the footsteps of idols Goosen and Ernie Els, is second on nine under, one ahead of third placed James Nitties of Australia.
The youngster equalled Greg Norman's Johnnie Walker Classic course record when he fired a 64.
Els, the World No 5, just made the cut, with a steady 70 leaving him nine off the pace.
World No 4 Adam Scott also scrapped through, thanks to a birdie on the last which gave him a 69 to also lie nine behind.
But Englishman Paul Casey, the World No 14, crashed out, missing the cut by two strokes after a double bogey on the last.
European Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam also slumped, losing the plot with a 10-over 82 for the worst round of the day, but fellow veteran Colin Montgomerie remains alive at five under.
Asian hopes rest with Wang Ter-chang of Taiwan, who hit a solid 70 to be six under, while Jeev Milkha Singh of India and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee are at five under.AFP
The World No 6 compiled a 68 to sit dangerously in the shadow of the Englishman, who spoiled a perfect score by hitting a bogey on the 18th for a round of 66 to be 10 under for the tournament.
"I'm sure the cream always rises to the top. So you know those big names are going to be coming down the stretch, they are probably going to be around there. I hope I can be in there too and hopefully they will be chasing me," said Wilson.
Haig, who is quickly establishing himself as the next big thing in South African golf, following in the footsteps of idols Goosen and Ernie Els, is second on nine under, one ahead of third placed James Nitties of Australia.
The youngster equalled Greg Norman's Johnnie Walker Classic course record when he fired a 64.
Els, the World No 5, just made the cut, with a steady 70 leaving him nine off the pace.
World No 4 Adam Scott also scrapped through, thanks to a birdie on the last which gave him a 69 to also lie nine behind.
But Englishman Paul Casey, the World No 14, crashed out, missing the cut by two strokes after a double bogey on the last.
European Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam also slumped, losing the plot with a 10-over 82 for the worst round of the day, but fellow veteran Colin Montgomerie remains alive at five under.
Asian hopes rest with Wang Ter-chang of Taiwan, who hit a solid 70 to be six under, while Jeev Milkha Singh of India and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee are at five under.AFP
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