Jimenez fires 64 for lead at Omega Hong Kong Open

BY iseekgolf.com | Asian Tour | 2004 Hong Kong Open | Round Two | 03 Dec 2004

Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez took his customary position when a superb six-under-par 64 hauled him into the halfway lead at the US$800,000 Omega Hong Kong Open today.

The 40-year-old Jimenez, chasing his fifth win of the year, showed his class with a bogey-free outing at the par-70 Hong Kong Golf Club’s Composite Course and opened up a two-shot advantage over Ryder Cup teammate David Howell of England.

Defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland battled to a 68 to lie four off the pace alongside the unheralded Alessandro Tadini of Italy and South African Louis Oosthuizen. Asia’s challenge was carried by Zhang Lian-wei of China, who cruised into the title frame in the Omega Hong Kong Open, jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

The man nicknamed “The Mechanic” went through his motions without much effort. Jimenez turned in one-under with a birdie on the third but caught fire from the 12th as he birdied five of the last seven holes. “I played really well, very solid all day. On the first nine, I played well but only made one birdie,” said Jimenez, who leads with a two-day aggregate of 11-under-par 129. “I feel very good, very solid. In two rounds, I have made only one bogey.”

“I try to be myself on the golf course, try to hit good shots and enjoy myself. So I get into that mode and everything looks nice. I feel great on the golf course, I feel in the right mood. I’m creating the shots, anytime you are trying to create something, you are focussing. The game is there,” said Jimenez, an Asian expert following wins in Thailand and China this year

Howell is looking to wrap up his best career season with a victory in the Omega Hong Kong Open and was set for another bogey free outing before dropping a shot at the par four 18th when he hooked his tee shot into trees. Still, the 29-year-old Englishman was pleased to be in contention.

“It was not going to be for me,” said Howell. “It was coming really. I wasn’t all that comfortable with what I’m doing out there. I hit a very bad rescue club off 17 and got away with it and made a par. I had to hit the same club at 18 and hit it left this time, instead of right. It just felt like I just needed to get in quickly. In the end I was pleased to get a five as I got up and down from the bunker.”

He believes Jimenez will be the man to beat. “I’m in a lovely position. (But) Miguel is playing fantastic and I know he didn’t sit here (in the interview) saying he was struggling with his game. I know he is very confident. He’s going to be a tough man to beat. I feel I’m going to have to feel better about my game to actually win this event. To keep shooting these scores, when the pressure is on, you need to be comfortable, so hopefully I can find that feeling,” said Howell, who enjoyed a chip-in eagle on the third.

Last year’s winner Harrington agonisingly missed birdie chances on the 16th and 18th holes as he settled for a two-under round. "A couple of putts at the end on 16 and 18 would have made it a good round. Doesn’t particularly feel like that at the moment, but it’s not the end of the world. It would have felt like I had a good day but obviously not. I’m not going to worry about it," said the Dubliner.

At the start of the week, Harrington paid tribute to Jimenez and his words have not proven him wrong. “He’s obviously the man in form. I still have to mind myself rather than worry about Miguel. Thankfully, it’s a 72 hole tournament.”

After an opening 70, local favourite Zhang wielded a hot putter to shoot seven birdies as he ended the day five off the lead. With wins in the Volvo China Open and Macau Open, the self-taught golfer is looking to complete a rare collection of home titles with the Omega Hong Kong Open trophy. "I’m a bit tired, this is my 11th tournament in a row. But the putter was very good and when I started making so many birdies on first nine, it made me feel good, said Zhang. “It would be a dream to win this title but there are so many good players here.”

Most of Zhang’s birdie conversions were from inside 10-feet, with the longest being a 30-foot curler on the eighth before dropping a shot at the next hole after missing the green.

American Bryan Saltus continued his fairy-tale run, adding a 68 to his opening 66 to stay in the chase. After finishing his round in the morning, he ushered a local photographer to take a picture of him in front of the electronic leaderboard as he was on top of the heap at that time. “Not quite completely over the moon, but on the moon, for sure,” said Saltus when asked how he felt after seeing his name on the leaderboard above the likes of Jose Maria Olazabal, Nick Faldo and Thongchai Jaidee.

“I was on top of every guy in this tournament (after his round) and there are a lot of good golfers here. I’ve got nothing to lose, I’m a nobody. I’m hitting driver on 18, for sure. I’m not laying up with three wood, can’t even hit fairway with a three wood!”

Thailand’s Thongchai struggled on the par threes, missing all four greens but showed enough strength in his game to muscle his way into the fringe of contention. A good week here will help him put one hand on the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown when the season ends next week with the Volvo Masters of Asia in Kuala Lumpur.

“I didn’t play the par threes well, kept hooking some irons. I need to go to the range to work out my swing. I’m happy with my score as it keeps me in there,” said the Thai.

The halfway cut was set at two-over-par 142 with the biggest casualty being England’s Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter, who stumbled out with a second round 75. Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal carded a 68 for tied 10th place on 135 while six-time Major winner Faldo was a further shot back after a fine 67.

Source – Asian Tour