World Number One Tiger Woods edged closer to a first strokeplay victory of the year and fourth triumph in the World Golf Championships – NEC Invitational after completing a delayed second round 66, four under par, which moved him to six under par 134 and within three strokes of halfway leader Stewart Cink of America.
Sergio Garcia of Spain and England’s Lee Westwood, both on course to be announced among the first five Members of the European Ryder Cup Team come Sunday, lead the European Tour challenge along with Australian Adam Scott at two under par after the second round was finally completed following the weather disruptions of the first two days but have plenty of ground to make up at Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio, if they are to follow Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke into the winners’ enclosure.
The first five players bound for Oakland Hills Country Club for The 35th Ryder Cup Matches will be finalised after the final round of the WGC – NEC Invitational and Weswtood, in the fifth qualifying place, looks to be holding the challengers at bay, notably Swede Fredrik Jacobson, sixth in the World Points List and England’s Luke Donald, tenth, who both lie three behind Westwood at one over par at the halfway stage.
The other five qualifiers for Bernhard Langer’s Team will come from the European Points List which will be finalised the following week at the BMW International Open in Munich. Ireland’s Paiul McGinley, in the final qualifying place, lies at five over par 145.
Whoever does make the European Team will face Cink and Woods for sure, Woods topping the United States Qualifying List and Cink handed a wild card by US Captain Hal Sutton on Monday. Cink’s response has been impressive, following his opening 63 with a two under par 68 to lie on nine under par 131, three clear of Woods and South African Rory Sabbatini, who also shot 66.
