American Kevin Streelman has struck trouble after a great start to his second round but still holds the lead in golf’s World Cup at Royal Melbourne.
Streelman, who shared the overnight lead with Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn on five under par, opened Friday’s round with four straight birdies.
But after that gave him a four-shot lead, he dropped a shot on the eighth, then twice found bunkers to double-bogey the ninth and fall back to six under par and a one-shot buffer.
South Korea’s KJ Choi was in second spot on five under par, having picked up one shot in three holes on Friday.
Australia’s Jason Day was equal third, on four under, having gained one shot in his opening eight holes.
Sharing that position were Scotland’s Martin Laird and Bjorn, who opened his second round with a bogey.
Australia’s other entrant, Adam Scott, was nine shots off the lead, after one hole of his second round.
He shot a disappointing four-over 75 on Thursday but opened Friday with a birdie.
Scott, who won the Australian PGA and Masters in the past two weeks, had hoped he wouldn’t have to shoot particularly low scores to move back into contention after finishing Thursday nine shots from the lead.
“I don’t think you’ll have to,” he said on Thursday.
“The greens are getting baked out again today like they have the last couple of days. I think it is going to play tougher and tougher and I don’t think scores are going to be that great.”
The United States led the team event, with a combined six under total, ahead of Denmark on four under par, with the Australians one under.