Golf-Swede Edfors takes control at Spanish Open (Reuters)
April 30, 2010
By Norman Dabell
SEVILLE, Spain, April 30 (Reuters) – Johan Edfors proved hewas back to full fitness after knee surgery when the Swedegrabbed the second-round lead at the Spanish Open on Friday.
An eight-under 64 at the Real Club earned Edfors a one-shotadvantage on 10-under-par 134 over Briton Mark Foster (66) andSpain’s Sebi Garcia (67).
Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin (67) and Britain’s Danny Willett(68) were a further stroke back on 136.
Edfors fought jet-lag after flying in from last week’sEuropean Tour event in South Korea but found the form that wonhim three titles in 2006, collecting nine birdies and just onedropped shot.
Two months ago the 34-year-old underwent keyhole surgery onhis right knee to remove loose cartilage. Within three weeks hewas back playing again and soon recorded a seventh and afourth-place finish.
“The knee kept swelling up and I was having troublewalking,” Edfors told reporters, “but it felt better an hourafter the operation and I’m completely free of problems now.”
The Swede said he was ready to fight for the Ryder Cup debutthat eluded him four years ago.
“I won three times in 2006 and if I can get things going Ican win three again,” added Edfors. “The Ryder Cup is my maingoal.”
SIX-MAN PLAYOFF
Foster won the 2003 Dunhill Championship in South Africaafter a six-man playoff but has never repeated that kind ofform.
The Englishman also suffered jet-lag after the trip fromKorea but warded off fatigue with the help of his female caddieJanet Squire.
“I got Janet to walk the course for me and check it out onWednesday instead of playing myself, to conserve energy,” saidFoster. “She did a great job.”
Garcia, 28, who was born in England but lives in Majorca,birdied five of the last seven holes to climb into contention.
Jacquelin has a proven track record in Spain, having won the2005 Madrid Open while Willett, a former world number oneamateur, fired his career-best round of 64 at the Real Club in2008 before becoming a professional.
Colin Montgomerie again slipped back late in his round tocard a 71 which left him two-under, eight off the lead.
The Ryder Cup captain blamed nearby disco music for afinal-hole lapse on Thursday but this time conceded it was hisfault. “I just can’t finish off a round,” he said.
The halfway cut fell at level-par 144, causing former RyderCup player Darren Clarke some embarrassment and a rapid returnjourney to Seville.
The Briton had flown home expecting to be one shot over thecut-off mark after rounds of 75 and 69.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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