Louis Oosthuizen dropped back into the chasing pack after a 71 on Friday as Indian sensation Shubhankar Sharma grabbed the WGC-Mexico lead, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Sharma’s performance has come at a surprise for US audiences (and players) but South African fans will remember his dynamic display en route to his Joburg Open win at the end of 2017 as he blew past the field at Rand Park.
Saffa leaderboard through 36 holes:
- T5. Oosthuizen -7
- T29. Schwartzel -2
- T.32 Grace -1
- T40. Frittelli +1
- T40. Burmester +1
- T61. Stone +9
The field at Club de Golf Chapultepe for the year’s first WGC event is, however, a different prospect. Not that Sharma’s first 36 holes would give that away.
At 21, he is the youngest player in the field, and one of the least recognizable at this level. Sharma quickly took control of his own destiny with an opening eagle on the short par 4 first hole after his drive finished just a few feet from the cup.
His ‘dream come true’ was complete when he birdied the last three holes for a second-round 66 and a two-stroke lead ahead of Xander Schauffele (68), Rafa Cabrera Bello (67) and Sergio Garcia (65)
Defending champion Dustin Johnson (66) was part of the huge logjam at 7-under that includes SA’s best performer this week Oosthuizen.
The overnight leader has some work to do if he is to add to his PGA TOUR win tally – which stands at one after hi success at the co-sanctioned Open Championship.
Oosthuizen was forced to scramble his way around after finding just 50% of fairways in regulation during round two with his best shot of the day arguably his 15-foot putt to save bogey at the 215-yard, par-3 13th hole.
Charl Schwartzel, who opened his day with three straight birdies, and Branden Grace were the best on Friday from a Saffa perspective as both shot 69 but they will need something miraculous if they want to get into the frame on Sunday.
The remaining South Africans – Dean Burmester, Dylan Frittelli and struggling Brandon Stone – will be looking to climb the leaderboard and add some dollars to their accounts on a week that will serve them well later in the year when they go in search of Major glory.
Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
