Miguel Angel Jiménez extended his lead in the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open TPC of Europe to two shots at the halfway stage at Gut Kaden, Hamburg – as one of his nearest rival, Paul McGinley, admitted that the presence of Tiger Woods in the field had done wonders for the profile of European golf.
McGinley fired a seven under par 65 for a six under par total of 138, level with Emanuele Canonica and two behind Jiménez, who added a 69 to his opening 67. Woods, after a second successive 70, remained well in contention to retain his title and McGinley enthused: “He’s wonderful for the game and great for Europe that he comes over here and promotes the game so well and in such a professional manner.
“He does for world golf what Seve Ballesteros did for European golf in the seventies. He brings in extra numbers through the gate, extra press, extra publicity and so on. It’s good business for a multi-national global company like Deutsche Bank. There may be some jealousy over his appearance here but I don’t subscribe to that. Business is business in my opinion.”
Jiménez, a winner twice last year and approaching that level of form again, is relishing the weekend ahead, although doesn’t expect simply to be facing a head-to-head with Woods.
“He is a great player and the world No.1, but there are 150 players in the field, and good players at that. You have to focus on the golf course, not one person.”
The big names gathered on 140, four under par, with Woods, Lee Westwood (69) and José Maria Olazábal (65) all making a forward move. The Spaniard, three over par overnight and in danger of missing the cut, holed a 112 yard shot for an eagle three at the 17th to help him recover.
Likewise, Colin Montgomerie (70 for 143) managed to eagle the same hole, sending an 81 yard lob wedge into the cup for a welcome bonuse. Montgomerie said: “I haven’t missed a cut worldwide for almost two years so it was nice to maintain that sequence.”
Montgomerie still admitted to problems with his putting, but last week’s Benson and Hedges International Open champion Olazábal had no such worries as he sank seven birdie putts in his round.
Woods was annoyed to miss some gilt-edged opportunities on the homeward stretch, having got to six under par with four holes (including two par fives) remaining. He insisted: “It was one of those days when I didn’t capitalise on the opportunities which were presented.”
Westwood, who only five days earlier had bemoaned his lack of motivation, rediscovered his appetite after some simple words of encouragement from his new coach, David Leadbetter.
The Englishman said: “He gave me the goal this week to go out and enjoy it. That was the main thing. He said that whatever happens this week, look as if I am enjoying the game.
“That’s what I’ve tried to do, get in a good frame of mind, because if your game’s not good then mentally you start to doubt yourself and your confidence gets low and you look miserable on the golf course. Maybe he thought if I looked happy it would spread right through my game.”
