Goosen leads Australians in Scotland
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2009 Scottish Open | Round Two | 11 Jul 2009
Retief Goosen leads after round two of the Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, his stunning second round of 63 leaving him two ahead of a resurgent Adam Scott while Marcus Fraser and Martin Kaymer are one shot further back.
Goosen, who owns the course record of 62 he set originally in 1997 and then again when he won here in 2001, has not had a lot of success in the event since. After an opening round of 68 however, Goosen advanced his cause with an outward nine of 32 today before charging home in 31 for his 8 under par round and the lead.
The highlight of Goosen’s round came at the par five 3rd (his 12th) hole of the day which he eagled for the second day in succession, but it was a round that started with a 30 foot par saving putt at his opening hole after what had been a very ordinary tee shot.
Goosen arrived in Scotland after what has been an impressive season to date. He has victories in South Africa and in Florida and two weeks ago finished third behind Nick Dougherty in Munich but importantly he is on the way back to a ranking more in keeping with the class of player he is. At the start of 2009 Goosen had slipped to world number 45 but entering this week he is back to number 25 with, it appears, further improvement to come.
Adam Scott’s return to form is both encouraging and timely. After a horror 12 months caused by injury, illness and personal issues, Scott appeared to have found something at the recent US Open and his showing this week offers further encouragement. Scott’s only hiccup came at his 14th hole, the par 3 5th, where a double bogey cost him the second round lead or at least a share of it.
Marcus Fraser has not missed a cut in 2009 but has seldom contended in fact his best finish has been 14th. His consistency has been rewarded this week however with a round of 66 and a great opportunity to win his first event on the European Tour since 2003. Fraser did of course lose a playoff to Rod Pampling at the Australian Masters in late 2008.
Fraser played early on day two and was contending for the lead before two late bogeys cost the Victorian something even more impressive but he will be delighted with the position he enjoys at the halfway mark.
Kaymer, who shares third with Fraser, last week won the Open de France and while backing up is a tough thing to do he has made the perfect start.
Richard Green led after round one but began round two with a bogey and although he recovered before the turn he struggled on the way in and finished with 72 to be five shots behind the lead and in a share of 12th.
Brett Rumford is 18th, Stuart Appleby has shown improvement on recent form to be in 22nd position, Geoff Ogilvy and Rod Pampling are 27th, Peter O’Malley 43rd and Scott Strange 65th are the Australians to make the cut.
