McIlroy keeping eyes on the prize
McIlroy recorded a three under par 69 to move into a share of 17th at five under par in smoggy but warm conditions on the Sheshan Golf Club course.
McIlroy’s round was a mix of seven birdies and also four bogeys with the high being three birdies in succession from the sixth and the low coming when he found water right off the tee at the par four, 16th.
Following McIlroy around the Shanghai course for a second day was blond-haired Caroline Wozinacki who seemed to be commanding as much TV attention as the current World No. 3 ranked golfer. It’s the first occasion since the pair became an ‘item’ that the Danish-born tennis ace has been present at a tournament to support McIlroy, and it seems McIlroy doesn’t mind.
“No, not at all,” was McIlroy’s response when asked if her presence was proving a distraction. “It’s just nice to have her support out there.
“It seems every time I made a birdie, I made a bogey and I was just always trying to play catch up. I feel like over the past two days, I’ve left quite a few shots out there. But it’s one of those things. I just have to try and make them up over the weekend. So I’ll need to do something pretty good if I want to try and win this tournament.”
Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson added a 66 to his opening round 67 to move one stroke clear of the field on 11-under par with former British Open champion, Louis Oosthuizen (63) and Australia’s Adam Scott (65) tied in second at 10-under par.
Graeme McDowell heads the Irish contingent in recording a second straight 69 to finish a stroke ahead of McIlroy.
The Portrushman’s round was a mix of five birdies and two bogeys on a golf course that suits the eye of last year’s US Open winner.
“I didn’t strike the ball quite as well as Thursday but it is there or thereabouts and I am pretty happy with another 69,” said McDowell.
“It was nice to follow up the first round score with another one in the red, though, that was pretty important to me. The good thing is this golf course suits my eye and I am rolling the ball nicely on the greens.
“If I can keep all that together I feel like I can go pretty low round and I’ll need to do that for a real chance of winning on Sunday.”
Michael Hoey capped his second round of 70 with four birdies in succession to move to two over par and into a share of 59th in his first appearance in the event. However British Open champion, Darren Clarke looks more despondent with each round adding a second day 76 that included two double bogeys within three holes to drop down the board to five over par tying for 68th.
