Euros on top at Sawgrass

Masters champion Cabrera four off the pace

Last updated: 10th May 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Euros on top at Sawgrass

Poulter: second round 68

Players Championship
Second round leaderboard
US unless stated
-11 A Cejka (Ger)
-9 I Poulter (Eng)
-7 K Na
-7 A Cabrera (Arg)
-7 J Dufner
-7 J Mallinger
-7 H Stenson (Swe)
-7 D Toms

Related links

News

Also see

Europe took charge of the Players Championship on day two with Alex Cejka and Ian Poulter forging clear of the field.

Germany's Cejka shot a 67 to get to 11 under par, two clear of English Ryder Cup star Poulter, who had a 68 to be two better than a chasing pack that includes Masters champion Angel Cabrera.

Cejka, still searching for his maiden PGA Tour victory after playing full time in the United States since 2003, began the day at six under par, a shot behind overnight leader Ben Crane.

The 39-year-old quickly moved past his American rival on the par-72, 7,215-yard Players Stadium Course with three birdies in a row between the second and fourth holes.

Poulter had five birdies and one bogey having started the day at five under.

The Englishman reckons his Ryder Cup experience stands him in good stead to hold his nerve over the weekend in what is regarded as the most prestigious tournament outside of the majors.

"I don't think I could probably play under as much pressure (as I did at the

Ryder Cup), to be honest with you," Poulter said. "Everything from now on in, hopefully I can enjoy playing golf."

As for the log-jam at seven under, Poulter added: "If guys are going to come from behind and try and make a challenge, then that's what they have to do.

Focus

"I'm not going to really be focusing on who's behind me and who could potentially come up behind me. I just want to keep doing what I'm doing and keep making birdies."

Americans Kevin Na, John Mallinger and Jason Dufner were in the clubhouse on seven under after a 66, 71 and 70 respectively while David Toms shot a 70 to join them and Cabrera shot a 65 that also took him to four shots behind Cejka.

Henrik Stenson of Sweden also finished on seven under with a 69.

Crane briefly stayed in touch with fellow early starter Cejka but a double bogey at the par-four 18th left him with a 73, taking him back to six under in a group also including another Swede, Richard S Johnson.

Camilo Villegas of Colombia had got to seven under before a double bogey at the par-five 16th led to a level-par 73, five under at the halfway stage, and England's Paul Casey will also start the third round at five under following a 69 that consisted of five birdies and two bogeys.

Comeback

Sweden's Daniel Chopra staged a remarkable comeback from an opening-round 75 to shoot a 65 and end the day at four under alongside Englishman Brian Davis, following a 71, and world number one Tiger Woods of the USA, who shot a 69.

Justin Rose had got to six under for the week with five to play before a double bogey and bogey sent him back to three under following a 71.

Scotland's Martin Laird made it into the weekend with a level-par round of 72 that kept him at one under for the tournament while defending champion Sergio Garcia was at level par following a 73.

Click Here for Your Free Bet