Golf

Stunning 63 gives Ilonen a three-shot lead in the China Open

Damien McGrane seven shots behind the leader following a fine 66

Brett Rumford of Australia plays a shot during the second day of the Volvo China Open at Binhai Lake Golf Course in Tianjin, China. Photograph: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Brett Rumford of Australia plays a shot during the second day of the Volvo China Open at Binhai Lake Golf Course in Tianjin, China. Photograph: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Fri May 03 2013 - 20:58

Australia’s Brett Rumford remains in contention for back-to-back victories on the European Tour despite a late surge from Finland’s Mikko Ilonen in the second round of the Volvo China Open.

Former Irish Open champion Rumford birdied his final four holes at Binhai Lake Golf Club in Tianjin to card a 67 and set the clubhouse target of nine under par, which was then matched by Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

However, Ilonen then birdied three of the same four holes that Rumford had hours earlier, to complete a flawless 63 and claim a three-shot lead on 12 under par.

Rumford won his first event since 2007 with an eagle on the first hole of a three-man play-off in the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea on Sunday and the 35-year-old from Perth is keen to make the most of his return to top form.

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“This is a new week and another tournament,” said Rumford, who started on the back nine and went to the turn in 35 before coming home in 32 thanks to to those birdies on the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth.

"I feel good, my fitness is good and my energy levels feel nice and high, so hopefully I can ride the wave over the weekend and keep the good feelings going.

First victory
Ilonen's 63 equalled his lowest round on the European Tour and gives him a great chance of claiming a first victory since the second of his two wins in 2007.

Overnight leader Robert-Jan Derksen also produced a strong finish with three birdies in his last five holes to finish four behind Ilonen on eight under, as he looks to end a run of 215 European Tour events without a win. Pablo Larrazabal carded a 66 to lie a shot further back on seven under alongside England’s Lee Slattery .

Ireland’s Damien McGrane fired second round six under 66 to lie just 7 shots off the lead. However Michael Hoey (74), Gareth Maybin (71), Peter Lawrie (74) and Paul McGinley (75) (all missed the cut.