Late birdie blitz gives Rock a share of the lead

GOLF DIGEST:   FIVE BIRDIES from his last six holes helped Robert Rock charge into a share of the lead at the halfway stage …

GOLF DIGEST:  FIVE BIRDIES from his last six holes helped Robert Rock charge into a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the Alfred Dunhill Championship yesterday.

The Englishman, who shot a six-under-par 66 in his first round, was just as impressive on day two with a 67 moving him joint-top at the Leopard Creek Golf Club on 11-under-par 133, alongside overnight leader Len Mattiace and Oskar Henningsson - the Swede shooting a 64 for the best round of the competition thus far.

Current Sunshine Tour Order of Merit leader Richard Sterne, one of the most promising talents in the South African game, had set the earlier pace with his six-under-par round of 66 leaving him one shot off the leaders.

A bunch of five players are clustered on nine-under, including 2004 winner Charl Schwartzel, while world number 10 Lee Westwood is one of three players a further shot back on eight-under.

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Damien McGrane and Jonathan Caldwell and are just four shots off the pace on seven under par. McGrane added a 66 for 137 while Caldwell shot 67 to finish on the same mark.

Gareth Maybin is also in for the weekend after a 69 left him on three-under-par 141. However, Rory McIlroy, 49th place in the world rankings, missed the cut by one after a 72 while Michael Hoey also misses out after a 75 for 145.

LET TOUR:A second round of six-under-par 66 propelled Sweden's Annika Sorenstam into the halfway lead at the Dubai Ladies Masters yesterday.

An eagle at the third and four birdies gave the defending champion a one stroke lead on 136, eight-under-par.

Trailing England's Johanna Head by four strokes on 70 after the first round, Sorenstam picked up the pace with a flawless display on the Majlis Golf Course at Emirates Golf Club.

"My goal was to clean up the round that I had yesterday with no bogeys and I was able to do that so I'm very, very happy," said Sorenstam, who added: "I wish I could have done a little better. I know I had a lot of chances and edges really. I hit the pin on the 11th hole, but I hit some good shots and I hit some good putts that just didn't go in."

AUSTRALIAN TOUR:Play was suspended on day two of the Australian Open at Royal Sydney after heavy rain rendered the Rose Bay layout unplayable.

Having endured constant rain and increasing winds, players in the afternoon groups were offered a reprieve just after 3pm when tournament organisers called a halt to proceedings before officially abandoning play for the day.

Western Australian Stephen Dartnall holds a two-shot lead over joint overnight leader Mathew Goggin who struggled to a two-under round of 70.

Darren Clarke, who shot 72 in the first round, is two over par after nine holes of his second round.

ASIAN TOUR:Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol broke away from the chasing pack to take the outright lead after posting a second round six-under-par 66 at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open yesterday.

Chawalit's two-round total of 11-under-par 133 has now given him a slender one shot lead over fellow compatriot, Thongchai Jaidee, Corey Harris and Anthony Kang of the United States.

First round leader, Rhys Davies from Wales slipped down the field to 139 after a second-round 75.