Tiger Woods fired an impressive nine-under 63 on Friday, leaping into contention at the Buick Open a day after what he called one of the worst putting performances of his career.
Woods stood in a share of fifth place on 10-under 134 after 36 holes, four adrift of Australian second-round leader John Senden, who fired a bogey-free 66 after an opening round of 64.
Senden hoped to take advantage of strong scoring conditions after his 64 left him one off the lead through 18 holes.
PHOTO: AFP/ASIAN TOUR
“When I woke up this morning, I was really wanting to shoot a low one,” Senden said.
■WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN
AFP, ROYAL LYTHAM, ENGLAND
Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, who escaped a French hotel blaze last week, hit back-to-back eagles to share the lead at the halfway stage of the Women’s British Open on Friday.
Matthew carded a second round 67 to top the leaderboard with Giulia Sergas, the California-based Italian who also shot five-under in the breezy conditions to join the Scotswoman on three-under 141 for the tournament. They led the final major of the women’s season by a stroke from Yuko Mitsuka, who has had a brace of 71s on her first visit to Britain.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng was three shots off the leaders after shooting 70. Teresa Lu carded a 76 to be seven-over and compatriot Amy Hung shot a 73 after her disastrous first-round 83 to finish on 12-over.
■BRUNEI OPEN
AFP, BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thai Boonchu Ruangkit rolled back the years to take the third round lead at the Brunei Open yesterday.
The 53-year-old carded a 64 for a three-day total of 13-under 200 to take a one-shot lead over Jay Bayron of the Philippines, who posted a 67.
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar took a share of third place with Australia’s Scott Barr and South Korea’s Ted Oh on 202.
A further shot back was Taiwan’s Lu Chien-soon after a 67, while compatriot Sung Mao-chang shot a 66 to be three shots further back on 206.
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