Kiradech in hunt for WGC title
Thai stays joint third, Johnson finishes strongly with four birdies to take lead over Koepka
>> SHANGHAI: Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot a two-under-par 70 in the second round to remain in contention at the WGC-HSBC Champions yesterday.
The Thai had a two-day total of 135 to stay joint third along with Olympic champion Justin Rose, who fired a 68.
They were four strokes behind world No.1 Dustin Johnson, who switched putters at the last moment and then nailed four birdies in his last four holes at the US$9.75 million (approximately 324 million baht) tournament.
The American’s spectacular 63 catapulted him over fellow American and overnight leader — and good friend — Brooks Koepka, who hung on for second on 132 overall at “Asia’s major.”
Fifth was Patrick Reed of the US, five shots off the lead.
“It’s not a bad day. I still managed to pick up a two-under par score today. I didn’t hit the ball as good as yesterday,” said Kiradech.
“My putter doesn’t go well as yesterday, especially the three-putt on the last hole which is quite disappointing. It’s not the way to finish the round. That double-bogey [on 12] came from chipping again. But it’s a good comeback. I made three birdies after that but just one dropped shot at the end. There was a little bit of wind and the pin positions were tougher than yesterday.
“I’m playing well at the moment. I can set the goal a little higher than I used to do. I just need to focus on my ball-striking.”
Johnson, who triumphed in Shanghai in 2013 and has won all four prestigious World Golf Championships (WGC), followed up his opening 68 with a sparkling round that started well and only got better as the day wore on.
The 33-year-old, who won the 2016 US Open, had a couple of near birdie misses early in his second round, but found his range with back-toback birdies on holes 12 and 13, then ramped up his challenge to finish with a flourish.
Johnson, tied 11th after the opening round, said: “Today obviously I played very well today, but I actually got a putter like about 20 minutes before I teed off, it’s a Spider, so it’s one that I’ve used before.
“I wasn’t really pleased with the one I played with yesterday so the guys here in China made me one. I got it right before I walked to the tee. I hit a few putts on the practice green with it and I was like, ‘Oh, this will work pretty well’. Went out and holed a lot of putts today, so kind of like it.”
Koepka, whose first major title came at the US Open in June, stayed in contention with a solid 68 at a sunny Sheshan International Golf Club.
The 27-year-old began his second round with real intent, reeling off two birdies on the trot to start the second day much as he finished the first.
Koepka said he was relishing doing battle with Johnson today, when they will be in the same group of players, and intends to make it a miserable weekend for his friend.
“I have no problem breaking Dustin’s heart, I can promise you that, I’m sure he’d say the same thing if he was sitting up here,” Koepka told a press conference with a smile.
“We both have a lot of fun off the golf course, but you know, when it comes to golf, I think we both want to kick each other’s butts. There’s no mercy out there, I don’t think anybody wants to go home a loser.”
Koepka added: “I hope it comes down to Sunday because there’s not been a tournament where we’ve actually competed against each other.”
Rose’s second round would have been even better but for a bogey at the 18th and he carded a 68 to go with his first-round 67.
“Listen, it’s part of the 18 holes,” Rose said of his last-gasp blip.
“Disappointing way to finish, felt like I was running out of steam a little bit coming in.”
But defending champion Hideki Matsuyama, the world No.4 from Japan, again failed to fire.
He followed up his disappointing opening-round 74 with another twoover 74 as his challenge disintegrated.