Harrington: 'I can turn this around'

Asian Open defending champion Padraig Harrington was far from unhappy despite shooting his second-successive level-par round of 72.

And the Irishman didn’t rule himself out of enjoying a spectacular second half of the tournament.

“I’m happy with how I played in the first two days but I could have done with a few more putts,” he said.

“It wouldn’t take too much for me to be five or six under par. I just needed some good breaks. I don’t need to find anything in my golf game. I need to maybe be more sharp or focused.

“Maybe that comes when I drop a few more putts. It wouldn’t take a hell of a lot for me to turn it around with a 66. That’s what I’ll need to shoot at the weekend.”

Miguel Angel Jimenez admitted he felt completely at home in Shanghai after shooting a second-round course record to establish the early clubhouse lead in the BMW Asian Open.

The Spaniard began with two birdies and added four more over the final six holes to card a bogey-free six-under-par 66 and improve to seven under at halfway.

His round matched that of England’s Simon Dyson yesterday.

It gave him a one-shot lead over Germany’s Alex Cejka and Gregory Hanrahan of America at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club.

Cejka recovered from a bogey at the third to fire home three birdies in his 70.

Hanrahan, meanwhile, would have been out in front had he not bogeyed the last two holes in his 71.

Dyson and Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand were also on six under out on the course after five and four holes respectively.

“I played really well, hit it well from tee to green, holed some putts and was consistent,” said Jimenez.

The Spaniard admitted he was helped by the relaxed atmosphere in Asia and believes he has a great chance to be in contention to land his third Tour title this year.

“I love Asia, I love this part of the world,” he said.

“It’s nice weather, a super golf course and nice people. I feel good, I feel happy and don’t have any worries.

“You play golf, be yourself and be happy – like the people here. The way I’ve been hitting the ball, I’ve got a chance this week. I feel good.”

Aussie legend Greg Norman had slipped a little after following a birdie at the second with a couple of bogeys but he was still in the hunt on four under.