2010 NedBank Golf Challenge - Day 2
The 2010 NedBank Golf Challenge stepped into the third round with Lee Westwood in the lead. The world number one smashed a 64 on the second day and took a three-stroke lead over Ross Fisher.
The tournament, carrying a purse of $5 million, kicked off at Sun City with a field of twelve players. The event, which is sanctioned under the European and Sunshine Tour, is composed of four champion tour players and nine veterans with top world rankings.
The leader teed off from the front and picked four birdies to wrap the first half with a score of four-under-par. On his way back to the clubhouse, the 39-year-old picked four more birdies and surged to clubhouse lead. Despite that, he failed to match the
course lowest score, which was made by Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson and Nick Watney earlier.
Westy was pleased with his accomplishment though as he said, “I played with Henrik when he shot 63 (in 2008), so I was well aware of what the course record was. I was in the right spot all day. I played conservative but attacking. I made a nice 40-footer
on the third which got me going and then really hit it close for the rest of the round ... (and) I like these greens. I seem to have got into the swing of things now. It was a good day. "
Ross Fisher improved a stroke from his first round scores. The veteran faltered in the front when he dropped three back-to-back shots at the closing holes. However, he managed three consecutive birdies from 13 onwards and one on the last hole to earn a point.
He compiled a scorecard of one-under-par.
On third place were the Englishman, Padraig Harrington and Spaniard, Miguel Angel Jimenez. The winner of Omega European Masters was consistent at scoring whereas the champion of Iskandar Johor Open dropped a shot in the front and failed to earn a point.
While speaking to the press, Harrington said, “It was a very average day. Didn't play great, didn't chip very well, and didn't hole any putts."
Edoardo Molinari and Tim Clark smashed identical scores to take the sixth and seventh spot on the leader board. The Italian eagled two par 5s and birdied another to draft a score of 67. On the other hand, the South African birdied four holes and eagled one
to match the scores made by Molinari.
The other two South Africans failed to rise on the second day despite having the home ground advantage. Louis Oosthuizen finished last with a 73, while, Retief Goosen seized the eighth spot with a 70.
According to media reports, chances are that Ross Fisher and Lee Westwood will be the final two players at the top. There is a slight difference between the driving accuracy and Green Hits in Regulations of the two; thereby a playoff is expected on Sunday.
More than 1300 spectators are expected to witness the finale of NedBank Golf Championship, which is taking place at the Gary Player Golf Club in the magnificent Sun City, South Africa. The tournament comes every year to the same venue with twelve strongest
golfers of the world. The course, which is laid on 7000 meters is one of the longest courses in the world and is known as the gem of Africa. The real beauty of the course lies in nine crocodiles, which are found near the ninth hole, which has a water hose.
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