GOLF:SWEDE ALEXANDER Noren produced the joint-best round of the Scandanavian Masters so far to take the outright lead at Bro Hof Slott Golf Club in Stockholm.
The 29-year-old, born in the Swedish capital, began the day in a share of first place with the amateur Robert Karlsson and South African Jaco van Zyl.
But while his fellow co-leaders could not improve on their opening five-under-par 67s, Noren exceeded his. He began in ominous form with birdies at the first two holes and with three more coming between the sixth and ninth he reached the turn in 31.
After such an impressive front nine the fireworks abated coming home and after picking up another stroke at the 175-yard 11th he parred his way home to finish with a blemish-free round of 66.
That put him 11 under and his main challenger three shots back was India’s Shiv Kapur who, starting on the back nine, carded eight birdies and two bogeys, to match Noren’s earlier 66.
Noren said: “I played probably the best I’ve ever played. It’s just been great, everything has been going better. I don’t think I’ve ever done that on this course and I’ve played here a lot. It really helps playing this course a lot, I know what lines there are and I know when to step back.”
American Bubba Watson’s previous experience of a European Tour event ended when he missed the cut in France a month ago but Stockholm appears to suit him better as, after an opening 71, he transformed his second round with an eagle, six birdies and three bogeys to sign for a 67 which lifted him to six under overall.
Watson’s fellow American Dustin Johnson, second at the Open on Sunday and the highest-ranked player in the field, ensured he made the cut with a round of 71 which put him one under.
Robert Karlsson, who was upstaged by his amateur namesake on Thursday, clawed back some kudos with a 70 which took him to five under and into a share of fifth.
On the other Robert Karlsson he said: “It’s great for Swedish golf. Not only to have him but other Swedish players as well, young amateurs.
The amateur did not fare so well in his second round with a 75 dropping him back to two under.
Damien McGrane maintained an Irish challenge on two-under following a second round 70 but Michael Hoey missed out on seven-over 151 – due to his opening 83 despite a fine 68 yesterday.
