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Fichardt cuts loose as lightning strikes twice

South African Darren Fichardt fired a brilliant 10under-par 61 to take a commanding lead midway through the second round of the…

Sat Mar 24 2001 - 00:00

South African Darren Fichardt fired a brilliant 10under-par 61 to take a commanding lead midway through the second round of the Sao Paulo Brazil Open.

Fichardt carded eight birdies and an eagle for a halfway total of 128, 14 under par, and a seven-stroke cushion before lightning forced the players from the course for the second day running.

Play was eventually abandoned for the day at 4.45p.m. local time and scheduled to restart at 7.30a.m. today.

England's Matthew Blackey, the course record-holder before Fichardt's superb round, shared second place on seven under with Spain's Diego Borrego and Swedish pair Richard Johnson and Johan Skold. But there was disappointing news for Ireland's David Higgins who followed an opening 68 with a disastrous 78 while Philip Walton was among those unable to play following his opening 69.

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"The key was just playing percentage golf today," said Fichardt, who won the South African Tour Players' Championship a few weeks ago despite being penalised two shots in the final round.

"Yesterday I hit a lot of drives which got me into trouble. But today I just kept it on the fairway and gave myself a full shot in. I just missed my card at the tour school last year, so I'm playing on invitations at the moment and a win here would be great. The swing is there, and I'm playing nicely."

Blackey added a 68 to his opening 67 but admitted the rest of the field will have a tough job on their hands to catch Fichardt, who narrowly missed out on forcing a play-off in the South African Open last year when his eagle attempt from 80 yards on the final hole finished just an inch from the cup.

"Seven behind is a lot, and with this weather we may only play one more round. But I'm playing well, and it's nice to play all four rounds in Qatar and Madeira and then be up there this week," he said.

Sheffield's Neil Cheetham was one shot behind Blackey on six under, while Mark Roe was another shot adrift after a 70. Roe, who played alongside Fichardt, is playing this season on a medical exemption after a 20-month injury lay-off.