Share

Schwartzel shares lead in Germany

Bad Griesbach - South Africa's Charl Schwartzel was in a three-way tie for the halfway lead at the European Open at the Golf Resort Bad Griesbach on Friday.

Schwartzel, lying two shots off the pace overnight, shot a second round 66 for a ten-under par total of 132.

Former European Open winner Ross Fisher went one better, carding a 65 to join him alongside fellow Briton Graeme Storm, who produced an eagle at the par five 10th.

"I didn't feel I was hitting the ball that great but I got round and made a few putts and I had a chip in on the tenth for eagle, which always helps," said Storm.

Starting his round at the tenth tee, former Masters Tournament winner Schwartzel covered the front nine in 35, mixing eight pars with a birdie.

He made another gain straight after the turn before chipping in from beside the green to save par at the short second.

The 31-year-old then added birdies at the third, fifth and eighth holes to head into the weekend on tied for the lead.

He said: "I've been feeling like I'm going to play well for a while, knocking on the door, but not had the momentum go my way."

Another Briton, Richard McEvoy, threatened to join this trio on ten-under in the clubhouse but for a bogey on the 18th.

That left him with a 67 and a share of fourth with An Byeong-Hun who added a 65 to his opening round of 68.

The South Korean is pleased with how he is playing. He said: "I'm one off the lead and I like my chances.

"I've been playing well. "Certainly last week I was playing well. I've worked hard on my putting, and I have putted well so far this week too."

Darren Fichardt and Johan Edfors were in joint sixth.

German legend and course designer Bernhard Langer followed up Thursday's 66 with a 71, while Austrian Bernd Wiesberger had a terrible day at the office.

He shared the overnight lead with a first round 64 only to follow up with a five over par 76 to plummet down the field.

Leading European Open second round scores at the Golf Resort Bad Griesbach on Friday (GBR/IRL unless stated, par 71):

132 - Ross Fisher 67 65, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 66 66, Graeme Storm 65 67

133 - Byeong-Hun An (KOR) 68 65, Richard McEvoy 66 67

134 - Darren Fichardt (RSA) 65 69, Johan Edfors (SWE) 66 68

135 - Richard Bland 65 70, Mikko Ilonen (FIN) 69 66, Magnus A Carlsson (SWE) 67 68, Jamie Donaldson 67 68, Justin Walters (RSA) 67 68, Oliver Fisher 66 69, Florian Fritsch (GER) 66 69

136 - Lucas Bjerregaard (DEN) 68 68, Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 66 70, John Parry 66 70, Maximilian Kieffer (GER) 68 68, James Morrison 67 69, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 68 68, Peter Uihlein (USA) 68 68, Miguel Angel Jimenez (ESP) 67 69, Benjamin Hebert (FRA) 64 72

137 - Bernhard Langer (GER) 66 71, Hennie Otto (RSA) 67 70, Anders Hansen (DEN) 69 68, Sebastian Heisele (GER) 70 67, Mikko Korhonen (FIN) 70 67, Kenneth Ferrie 70 67, Raphael Jacquelin (FRA) 70 67, Alessandro Tadini (ITA) 68 69, Alejandro Canizares (ESP) 70 67, Richard Green (AUS) 65 72

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 945 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 463 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE