Jacquelin the sole leader in Shanghai
[GOLF] France's Raphael Jacquelin fired a superb round of four-under-par 67 to cling on to his overnight lead in the US$2 million Volvo China Open at the scenic layout of Shanghai Silport Golf Club yesterday.
On a day winds continued to annoy players, "Monsieur" Jacquelin maintained his sparkling form on the hilly landscape, sinking six birdies against two bogeys to settle for a three-stroke lead heading into the weekend rounds with a two-day total of seven-under-par 135. "Any scores under par in these conditions are going to be good. The goal is to be up there every day until Sunday. I tried my best and even though I made two bogeys at the end I am really pleased with the seven-under total,'' said the 32-year-old, who started in full flow with three straight birdies and almost pulled off an error-free round until he dropped two shots on the seventh and eighth holes. "I tried to take all the opportunities early on and save pars. Like yesterday I made two bogeys at the end but that's golf,'' said the Frenchman, who is on track for his second European title since the 2005 Madrid Open. Australia's Adam Blyth trailed two strokes behind as he shot a 67 for a 137 total. The 25-year-old from Brisbane fired six birdies against two bogeys. Blyth was tied second at the TCL Classic in Sanya last month but succumbed to his own nerves to endure a poor finish at 17th by Sunday. Playing without any pressure is what he needs to do the next two days. "It was not the technical change. It's more of a mental thing. Being second is a nice position to be in and I have to chill out and have fun," said the towering Australian. Meanwhile, a six-bogey round saw first-round co-leader Huang Mingjie of China slump to a joint 25th after a poor 76. Prayad Marksaeng's form nose-dived on the last three holes, which saw him plummet from cloud nine to a disappointing 74. The former winner endured a quadruple bogey on the seventh hole, where he struggled to get out of the rough, before stumbling on to bogey the eighth and ninth holes. He had a three-over 145 total. "I spent some five minutes trying to find the ball in the rough. I found myself in a tough position to get out of that mess. But it's good to make the cut and I still have a chance," said the 1996 winner, who is tied 34th alongside compatriots Thammanoon Sriroj and Thongchai Jaidee, both of whom also hit 74s. The other two Thais who made the cut were Chapchai Nirat (70) and Prom Meesawat, who hit a 74.
Lerpong Amsa-ngiam The Nation SHANGHAI
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