Edfors back on track in Qatar
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2008 Qatar Masters | Round Two | 26 Jan 2008
Sweden’s Johan Edfors recaptured some of his 2006 glory when he recorded a second round of 66 at the Doha Golf Club to lead the Commerical Bank Qatar Masters at the completion of 36 holes.
Edfors won three times in 2006 but in 2007 he slipped from 10th to 67th on the European Tour Order of Merit. He put much of that reversal down to trying too hard in 2007 as he sought to move to an even higher level.
“I really worked hard last year in fact probably a bit too hard during tournament weeks and the game fell apart and so did the joy for the game,” said Edfors after his impressive round today. Edfors has re-thought the way he attacks tournament week now and places less pressure on himself during events.
“I was on fire today, gave myself plenty of opportunities on my back nine and am really happy with the way I am playing this week.”
The European Tour’s hottest player at present, Lee Westwood, shares second place with Charl Schwartzel.
“I’m only two behind going into the weekend which is a dam sight better than the 11 shots I was behind going into the weekend last week. 70 was a good score in these conditions.”
First round co-leader, Anton Haig, Alexander Noren, Ross McGowan and David Howell share 4th place at 6 under and are three behind the leader.
The best of the Australasians are Peter O’Malley and Adam Scott who are at 2 under and in 26th place. Michael Campbell produced an encouraging effort to make the cut, which may sound like a strange statement about a recent US Open winner.
When it is considered however that Campbell missed his last four cuts against much weaker fields, and that he was playing horror golf during that time, he will be pleased to be at least heading in the right direction. He is at even par.
Scott Strange is also at even par while Richard Green recovered from a slow start yesterday for a round of 70 and made the cut on the number.
