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Harrington still ahead at halfway stage in B&H International Open
The Belfry, May 10: Padraig Harrington fired a 68 to take a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the B&H International Open at The Belfry.
The Belfry, May 10: Padraig Harrington fired a 68 to take a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the B&H International Open at The Belfry.
The Irishman had surged four clear after a string of birdies and an eagle, but a bad drive at 17 saw him give two shots back to the chasing pack. Harrington, who had the course record in his sights, looped the ball into the lake and had to settle for a double bogey.
"I'm still leading and I never expected that coming here this week," he said after his uncharacteristic error. "You've got to expect some mistakes. That's life and I'm just going to put it behind me."
Harrington will feel The Belfry owes him a victory as he was disqualified here in 2000 for failing to sign his first-round card. He was leading by five shots after three rounds at the time, but took his punishment with admirable reserve.
Leading the pursuit of Harrington is defending champion Angel Cabrera. The Argentine is two off the pace after a three-under-par 69. But it was not an easy going for the big-hitting Cabrera as he battled his way through the outward nine with five pars and a bogey. And three shots back on four under par are Spain's Jose Manuel Lara and the promising English pair of Jamie Elson and Paul Casey.
Colin Montgomerie fought his way back into contention after a disappointing first round, but it could have been so much better for the Scot. He went to the turn in 32, followed by a gallery of supporters, but four dropped shots in the last four holes saw him slip back to two under.
There was even worse news for fans of Jose Maria Olazabal to stomach. The 2000 champion crashed to 11 over to miss the cut by a margin. The Spaniard is not the only big name to miss the weekend, as Nick Faldo, Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Ian Woosnam endured miserable returns to The Belfry and missed a generous four-over-par cut.
Worse was to befall two recent Ryder Cup captains, Seve Ballesteros and Sam Torrance. The Spanish legend completed a trying week by carding a two-round total of 12 over par, while Torrance went 82-80 to miss the cut by 14 shots. But there were a couple of veterans who enjoyed their rounds on Friday.
Bernhard Langer carded his second straight 71, while Sandy Lyle posted a 67, the day's lowest round, to join the German on two under. Overnight leader David Dixon found the going much more difficult second time around, shooting a 78 to return to level par.
Bureau Report
The Irishman had surged four clear after a string of birdies and an eagle, but a bad drive at 17 saw him give two shots back to the chasing pack. Harrington, who had the course record in his sights, looped the ball into the lake and had to settle for a double bogey.
"I'm still leading and I never expected that coming here this week," he said after his uncharacteristic error. "You've got to expect some mistakes. That's life and I'm just going to put it behind me."
Harrington will feel The Belfry owes him a victory as he was disqualified here in 2000 for failing to sign his first-round card. He was leading by five shots after three rounds at the time, but took his punishment with admirable reserve.
Leading the pursuit of Harrington is defending champion Angel Cabrera. The Argentine is two off the pace after a three-under-par 69. But it was not an easy going for the big-hitting Cabrera as he battled his way through the outward nine with five pars and a bogey. And three shots back on four under par are Spain's Jose Manuel Lara and the promising English pair of Jamie Elson and Paul Casey.
Colin Montgomerie fought his way back into contention after a disappointing first round, but it could have been so much better for the Scot. He went to the turn in 32, followed by a gallery of supporters, but four dropped shots in the last four holes saw him slip back to two under.
There was even worse news for fans of Jose Maria Olazabal to stomach. The 2000 champion crashed to 11 over to miss the cut by a margin. The Spaniard is not the only big name to miss the weekend, as Nick Faldo, Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Ian Woosnam endured miserable returns to The Belfry and missed a generous four-over-par cut.
Worse was to befall two recent Ryder Cup captains, Seve Ballesteros and Sam Torrance. The Spanish legend completed a trying week by carding a two-round total of 12 over par, while Torrance went 82-80 to miss the cut by 14 shots. But there were a couple of veterans who enjoyed their rounds on Friday.
Bernhard Langer carded his second straight 71, while Sandy Lyle posted a 67, the day's lowest round, to join the German on two under. Overnight leader David Dixon found the going much more difficult second time around, shooting a 78 to return to level par.
Bureau Report