Rocco ready for title tilt

Rocco Mediate, the 46-year-old who last June came so close to toppling Tiger Woods in the US Open, has another chance this weekend for a first victory since 2002.

Mediate today added a two-under-par 70 to his opening 68 at the US Tour’s Puerto Rico Open in Rio Grande and midway through the day’s play was only two behind clubhouse leaders Bryce Molder and Estanislao Goya.

Eighteen-year-old Tadd Fujikawa was also six under, five birdies in his last 10 holes giving the tiny Hawaiian a 68 and making him part of a chasing group which also included American Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin.

Mediate has not had a top-10 finish since his heroics at Torrey Pines, where his bid to become the oldest US Open champion in history went to an 18-hole play-off with Woods and then to sudden death as well.

Not having to worry about Woods this week – the world number one and all the leading lights are at the WGC-CA Championship in Miami – Mediate made up for three bogeys with five birdies.

Former American amateur star Molder, who once had a round of 60 playing with then President Bill Clinton, was bogey-free for his 69, while 20-year-old Argentinian Goya produced a 67.

First-round leaders Jason Day and Derek Lamely, who opened with 66s, were among the later starters.