Aiken close to maiden win in Europe
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2009 Omega European Masters | Round Two | 05 Sep 2009
South African golfer Thomas Aiken has yet to win on the European Tour but has often promised to do so. This week in the stunning Crans Sur Sierre in Switzerland he has created the opportunity to do so.
A second round of 64 has the 26-year-old one shot clear of Bradley Dredge and Miguel Angel Jimenez at the Omega European Masters and with six European Tour top tens this season, including one at the Open Championship, this could well be the week for that all important break-though.
Aiken is in his second season in Europe having failed to retain his full status in his rookie season last year. He returned to Tour School and although he missed earning his full playing rights again he had enough status to gains starts early in the season. That, along some very good performances on the Sunshine Tour, gave him access to several significant events this season and he has taken advantage.
The 2007 winner of this event, Brett Rumford, leads the Australians after a second round of 73 followed his brilliant opening round of 62. Rumford is in 8th position and three from the lead.
Danny Lee is at 4 under and in 30th position, Peter O’Malley 43rd at 3 under and Michael Campbell made the weekend for just the second occasion in his last eighteen starts when he finished at 2 under and in 55th position.
