Ireland’s Padraig Harrington takes a one-stroke lead into Saturday's third round.of the BBVA Open Turespaña Masters Comunidad de Madrid at Club de Campo – less than a week after making up his mind to play at the venue where he won his first tournament as a professional four years ago.
A superb second round of 64 for a halfway total of 131, 11 under par, helped to remove any doubt in the 29-year-old Dubliner's mind about whether he made the right decision. He said: "I've played the last four weeks and I should not really play five in a row. I certainly intended not to, but because it was the venue I won on I decided to make an exception. So far it's been a good idea."
Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, needing to win on Sunday to take back top spot from Lee Westwood on the Volvo Order of Merit, was left five adrift as Harrington followed a back nine 30 with a 15-foot eagle putt on the long fourth. Coincidentally, he conjured up a 64 at the same stage of the Spanish Open which he captured in only his 10th event as a pro in 1996.
Chasing Harrington at the halfway stage is defending champion, Miguel Angel Jiménez, who won in his native Malaga in 1998 and 1999. The Spaniard, on ten under par after matching scores of 66, is now attempting to emulate Colin Montgomerie, who won three successive Volvo PGA titles between 1998 and 2000.
Roger Wessels of South Africa carded a 65 to lie third on nine under par while three Spaniards are in a six-strong group sharing fourth place on seven under. Jose Rivero shot a 67, Francisco Cea a 68 and Santiago Luna a 70 as the home based players ganged up behind the principals. Also in that category is Scotland’s Gary Orr after rounds of 67 and 68, Zimbabwe’s Tony Johonstone and Sweden’s Per-Ulrik Johansson, who fired a best of the day 63 to move into contention.
Video Highlights of Round 2
