Sweden’s Henrik Stenson leads the tournament while Padraig Harrington made impressive strides in the intriguing sub-plot which will decide The European Tour Order of Merit at the conclusion of the Volvo Masters at Valderrama on Sunday night.
Stenson used his putter just three times in the course of reeling off five successive birdies between the 13th and 17th over one of the toughest stretches in European golf. That stupendous run propelled the Ryder Cup player to four under par at the halfway stage.
With a total of 138, Stenson leads by one from England’s Lee Westwood (70) going into a weekend in which he cannot himself capture the Order of Merit crown, but can certainly influence the identity of the new European Number One.
Currently sixth on the Order of Merit, Stenson’s best hope is to finish second by winning the €666,660 first prize. However the money list is a fight to the finish involving current Number One Paul Casey, Harrington, David Howell and another Swede, Robert Karlsson.
Casey, recovering slowly but surely from a virus which contributed to an opening 76, signed for a second round 72 to lie in a share of 35th place. Harrington, who requires a third place finish at least in order to have a chance of overhauling the Englishman, weighed in with a 69 to move into a tie for ninth on 142, level par.
With Howell (73) and Karlsson (74) both on 143, one over par, the prospect of the Order of Merit going right to the wire grew ever more likely. And both Harrington and Howell quietly fancy that the race will, indeed, be survival of the fittest over the final 36 holes of the 2006 season.
“I feel good about my score” admitted Harrington, who must have felt as if he was playing at home in Ireland in winter rather than on Spain’s Costa del Sol as the temperatures dropped, the wind speed increased and rain swept the course.
“Obviously I was hoping the field wouldn’t run away from me. Four shots isn’t too far behind with 36 holes to go. It was tough out there and the cold was taking a lot of distance off the ball. If it stays cold, it is going to be very difficult.”
The Irishman, who trails Casey by the small matter of €218,185, added: “I just have to play the same way I’ve played for two days. Today and yesterdays rounds, tee to green, would be better than adequate. If I could also hole a few putts, it would be a very good day.”
Howell, whose injured shoulder held up well during a second round 73, birdied the closing two holes to make his dinner taste better. He was extremely fortunate at the 17th, where he second shot crossed the water and stuck on the bank just above the surface of the pond. From there, he made a birdie four and holed from 35 feet at the last as well.
“I didn’t play great, but if I can have a great weekend I would be in with a shout. That’s all I can ask for after my lack of practice. It does look as if this is going to go down to the wire.”
Still "weak and lethargic" after the effects of a virus, Casey shot 72 then sat back and waited to see how his main rivals coped with the conditions. An attack of stomach cramps had contributed to an opening 76 from Casey and when he was sick back at his hotel and then suffered more diarrhoea he was not sure whether he would be able to continue in the tournament.
"I'm over the worst now," he said. "I managed to eat half a sandwich, which was the first thing in almost two days. I'll finish the week now."
He was not the only player under the weather. Fellow Englishman David Lynn had gastric trouble too and even went to hospital for treatment before shooting a commendable 71 for 140 and a share of third place along with a host of other players, including English Ryder Cup player Luke Donald.
Meanwhile Stenson enjoyed himself in the testing conditions, shooting a best of the day 68 to move to the top of the leaderboard. The tall Swede with the wicked sense of humour chipped in at the 13th and 15th and holed for birdies at the 14th, 16th and 17th.
He said: “I was just hoping to go out there and shoot under par like I did yesterday and hopefully move up the leaderboard. I certainly did that and I’m now in a nice spot.”
Stenson reveled in a jokey verbal exchange with an Irish journalist, who suggested that he would be under “Swedish team orders” if fellow countryman Karlsson had a chance of winning the tournament and with it the Order of Merit.
“Don’t be ridiculous” chided Stenson, before pausing and adding with a grin; “Of course it’s team orders!” He continued: “Padraig and David both probably have a shot at it now with a good finish over the weekend. There is a lot of golf to be played and if the weather keeps on being tough, a lot can happen yet.”
Westwood, the last Englishman to claim the Harry Vardon Trophy back in 2000, put himself in position to challenge for a second Volvo Masters title to add to his 1997 win at Montecastillo, making birdies at the 17th and 18th to finish on 139.
England’s Simon Dyson had the distinction of holing on one t the third with a six iron from 185 yards.
