Kang backs up at the Vines
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic | Round Two | 20 Feb 2009
Perfect conditions greeted the morning field on day two of the Johnnie Walker Classic and by 1.00 pm a new leader had emerged from the ruck to lead at 10 under.
Just seven days after his amazing win at the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur, American Anthony Kang was again in front of a co sanctioned event. Courtesy of his second round of 67 he was at ten under and led by two over a large group at 8 under including first round leader, Robert-Jan Derksen, Queenslanders Andrew Dodt and Adam Blyth, American Anthony Kim, New South Welshman Andre Stolz, Terry Pilkadaris and Japan’s Taichiro Kiyota.
Tony Carolan had reached 9 under through 11 holes of his round but dropped two shots soon after and at 7 under with just three holes to play in round two he stood at 7 under.
No sooner had the press conferences for those out in the morning been completed than Derksen had joined the lead. He eagled the par five 10th hole, his first of the day and he and by 1.30 pm he and Kang shared the lead.
Andrew Dodt and Adam Blyth have both experienced considerable progress in their careers in Asia in 2008, Blyth leading into the third round of last week’s Malaysian Open before finishing 10th while Dodt played well in his rookie season in Asia finishing runner up in Vietnam and finishing 4th at the season ending Volvo Masters.
Kim is lurking as a serious contender for the title. The world’s second highest ranked golfer in this event, Kim finished the Malaysian Open off well last week after a horror start and clearly feels more comfortable on the bent greens of the Vines Resort than was the case on the grainy tifdwarf greens in Kuala Lumpur.
Andre Stolz continues to get better following his return to tournament golf last year and follows up his recent win at the Victorian PGA with yet another good start.
Melbourne’s Terry Pilkadaris and Japan’s Taichiro Kiyota are also in the mix at 8 under.
Greg Norman made a good start to his second round in search of the round of 67 he will likely need to be around for the weekend. He birdied the par five 3rd hole but will need something quite special over the next few hours to entertain his fans at the weekend.
