GOLF: Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley boosted their Ryder Cup ambitions with excellent second rounds in the Deutsche Bank Players Championship of Europe at Gut Kaden yesterday.
Harrington fired a 65 for a two-round total of 133, just three shots off the pace set by Sweden's Robert Karlsson, while McGinley showed a welcome return to form with a six-under-par 66 for 135.
Harrington, after a first nine of 33, fired four birdies in a row from the 14th to come home in 32. McGinley was also on the birdie trail in a flawless 66 that saw him cover each nine in 33 shots.
Damien McGrane is also in sight of the leader after a 66 saw him move alongside McGinley on nine under par, while Graeme McDowell added a 70 for 138.
Karlsson's 14-under-par total of 130 moved him one shot clear of three players, Scotland's Gary Orr, England's Lee Westwood, and Welshman Ian Woosnam, who could well welcome the Swede into his Ryder Cup team bound for The K Club in September if he continues in this form.
Weekly £200 pain-killing injections helped the Europe Ryder Cup captain Woosnam to leave most of the contenders for places in his team trailing yesterday.
The 48-year-old Welshman's shot in the arm proved precisely that as rounds of 65 and 66 swept him to 13 under par and set up his chance of becoming Europe's oldest Tour winner.
Woosnam's wonder dose is a new treatment for the ankylosing spondylitis that has plagued the former world number one for years. After back pain forced him to pull out of this month's French Open he opted to try a cure that the former Tour winner Michael King, another victim of the condition, recommended.
"Eighteen months ago he couldn't do 200 yards but he was playing in the Jersey Senior Open and told me the revolutionary new drug was working marvellously for him," said Woosnam.
"I went to see a doctor at St Peter's hospital near Wentworth who explained it was developed to fight rheumatoid arthritis about 10 years ago. Then they started using it for spondylitis."
Woosnam, who has alternated between conventional and broomhandle putters, has made 15 birdies in his two rounds using the short club. "It's the best I've putted for 10 years," he said.
"The secret is moving the ball back a bit in my stance and getting my feet square to the target."
Woosnam, chasing a 30th tour title five years after his last victory, in the World Matchplay, laughed off suggestions his transformation could prompt him to switch to being a playing captain in Ireland come September.
"Even if I happen to win the next three or four tournaments in a row my decision is made," he said.
Luke Donald is poised to book his place on Woosnam's team after a birdie-birdie finish moved him to 11 under par.
Guardian Service
