Oliver provides twist at Johnnie Walker Classic
IN: News | Asian | Johnnie Walker Classic (2007) | Round Two | 02 Mar 2007
England's Oliver Wilson led a new breed of young guns to the fore at the US$2.44 million Johnnie Walker Classic on Friday, shooting a glorious six-under-par 66 for the halfway lead.
Wilson, 26, jumped into the driver's seat at the challenging Blue Canyon Country Club with an inward 32 which included two eagles and the fine effort kept his nose ahead of 20-year-old South African Anton Haig, who equalled Greg Norman's long-standing course record with an outstanding 64 for second place.
Australian James Nitties, another emerging player in his 20s, carded a 67 for equal third place alongside two-time Major champion Retief Goosen, who goes into the weekend feeling confident of adding a second title to the season after a second straight 68.
While the youth brigade was dominating the leaderboard, Asia's challenge on day two of the prestigious Johnnie Walker Classic, tri-sanctioned by the Asian, European and Australasian Tours, was carried by veteran Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei.
The 44-year-old, a four-time winner on the Asian Tour, is tied sixth, four off the lead. Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, a two-time Asian number one, eagled his last hole for a 68 to stay in contention a further stroke back alongside India's Jeev Milkha Singh, last year's UBS Order of Merit champion. Singh overcame a mid-round wobble where he dropped five shots in two holes before fighting back for a 72.
After turning in 34, Wilson, bidding for a maiden professional victory, charged ahead with a run of two eagles and a birdie over a stretch of five holes but needed to hole a brave six-footer to save bogey on the last after a wayward drive. He drained a 12-footer for his first eagle on 11, and then chipped in from the back of the green on the 15th.
"I've just been working on a few mental things really this week trying to stay relaxed and enjoy it and it seems to work. So if I can keep doing that, you know, and you never know what happens on the weekend," said Wilson, who leads on 10-under-par 134.
Part of Wilson's preparation included a holiday in the Bahamas and he hopes to deliver a final twist by winning the Johnnie Walker Classic ahead of the big guns. "I'm sure the cream always rises to the top. So you know those guys are going to be coming down the stretch, they are probably going to be around there. So hopefully I can be in there, too, and hopefully they will be chasing me," said Wilson, who finished runner-up in the 2005 Volvo China Open after losing in a play-off to Paul Casey.
Haig, who claimed a maiden victory on the Asian Tour last season, rattled in an eagle-two on the 13th hole, driving the green and draining a 30-foot putt, and enjoyed seven other birdies to surge into contention. The big-hitting Haig has been hailed as a rising star and he underlined his growing prospects with a wonderful ball-striking display. "I've been practising hard and working a bit on the golf swing, and my coach has really helped me back in South Africa. It's about time that it's shown on the golf course," he said.
The strapping Haig, who won the Pulai Spring Malaysian Masters last September, enjoyed a practice round with Ernie Els and Goosen, both Major champions, earlier in the week and he was delighted to take the gloss off his more famous compatriots so far.
"As a youngster growing up, I watched Ernie and Retief, who are awesome players, great golf swings, and their composure on the golf course is awesome to watch. It's just a privilege to even be playing in a tournament with them. I've gotten to know Ernie quite well in these past couple of weeks. I can go up to ask and him a few things (tips). I imagine he might come up to me this week and ask me a few things!"
Els might need to do so as he goes into the weekend rounds a massive nine shots off the pace in his hopes of becoming the first player to win the Johnnie Walker Classic three times. He added a 70 to his opening 73. World number four Adam Scott of Australia, the highest ranked player in the elite field, improved by five shots with a 69 and is tied with Els on 143.
With two wins achieved in his 40s, Wang hopes to topple the talented youngsters as he is well poised to strike, being only four back. "I'm hitting some of my irons nicely and at six-under I'm in a good position. I'll try to move up but this is a really difficult course. The good thing is that I'm comfortable on the greens," said Wang, last year's Brunei Open champion.
"I don't want to start thinking too far ahead, like winning, just take it one day at a time. There are lots of good players in contention," added the veteran, who credits regular visits to the hot springs in Taipei as his secret to his longevity in the game.
Thongchai rifled a three iron into the wind at his last hole, the par five ninth, to eight feet for an eagle, which has ignited his ambition to become the first Asian winner in the Johnnie Walker Classic. Winner of the Volvo Masters of Asia on home soil last December, Thongchai was delighted with his finish. "I had a good one on the ninth, it was a good way to finish," he said.
A week's rest at home last week has recharged Thongchai's batteries after a gruelling six weeks on the road and he's feeling confident. "I don't feel tired, I'm good now. I've got another two rounds to go. I'm striking the ball well, just a couple of shots that I pulled but generally good."
Another South African Richard Sterne, who had brought his luggage to the club in anticipation of an early exit after an opening 75, also equalled the course record of 64 set by Norman when the Aussie legend won the Johnnie Walker Classic in 1994. Sterne moved up to equal 11th on 139.
All eyes will be on Goosen, who is the biggest name on the leaderboard. "I always thought 16 under could be the winning score and four 68s would be great," said Goosen, who won the Commercialbank Qatar Masters in January. "When I turned at nine, 11 under was leading and I thought 12 could be leading at the end of the day. I was only at that stage five under so to walk off 18 and being only two behind is a bonus."
First round leader Brad Kennedy of Australia had a frustrating day with a 77 and slipped down to joint 32nd place on 142.
Source - Asian Tour
