WILSON IN FRONT IN PHUKET // 02nd March 2007

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England's Oliver Wilson edged past Anton Haig and surged into the lead after the second round of the Johnnie Walker Classic when he posted a 6-under 66 at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket today (Friday). The Mansfield golfer, who finished 31st at the Dubai Desert Classic last month, had two birdies on his front nine but improved dramatically after the turn. He eagled both the 544-yard 11th and the 586-yard 15th and then carded a third birdie at the short 14th. However, even though he spoiled his card with a bogey five at the last, he was still able to get in front of Haig, who shot a tournament low 64, by a stroke with world number eight Retief Goosen and Australian James Nitties a further shot adrift. "It's nice to be leading the tournament," said the 26-year-old Wilson. "I've just been working on a few mental things this week trying to stay relaxed and enjoy it and it seemed to work. "So if I can keep doing that, you never know what will happen on the weekend." Haig, a towering 20-year-old South African, said of his round: " I just kept good composure out there, kept fighting and never gave up. I hit all the par fives in two and really did hit it good. "I hardly missed a fairway, putted really solid. All in all, compared to yesterday, I really hit it a lot better." Colin Montgomerie carded a two-under-par 70 to move to five under for the tournament alongside Graeme Storm, although fellow Brits Paul Casey and Nick Dougherty both missed the cut. Casey, who started on the back nine, was level par overall heading down the last, but a double-bogey seven at the 561-yard ninth ruined his chances as the Ryder Cup hero carded a 75 for a two-over total. Dougherty carded a disastrous nine-over-par 81 to plummet to five over par after starting the day at a more than respectable four under. Scotland's Steven Gallacher, who began the day tied for second, also had a disappointing second day, shooting a 4-over 76 to drop to two over and out of the tournament. The 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir (level par) and former Johnnie Walker Classic winners Ernie Els (one under) and Adam Scott (one under) all made the cut without doing anything spectacular. To return to the main News page click here