Americans stay in front at World Cup
The United States pair of Heath Slocum (L) and Boo Weekley (R) finished 36 holes at 14-under-par 130.
Shenzhen, China - The United States pair of Boo Weekley and Heath Slocum combined for a three-under 69 in Friday’s foursomes to remain atop the leaderboard after the second round of the World Cup.
The American team, which held the overnight lead, finished 36 holes at 14- under-par 130. Weekley and Slocum are one shot ahead at the Olazabal Course at Mission Hills Golf Club.
The English squad of European Tour Order of Merit winner Justin Rose and Ian Poulter paired up for a four-under 68 on Friday. The Scottish team of Colin Montgomerie and Marc Warren, who lost in a playoff last year, also managed a 68 and are tied for second with England at minus-13.
Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman of South Africa bogeyed the 18th hole in round two. That dropped them to a second-round, three-under 69, which was good enough for fourth place at 12-under 132.
The English team surged into the lead at 14-under par, but the Americans matched them at that number. At the 12th hole, Weekley missed a 20-foot par putt that dropped the U.S. side one behind England.
Rose and Poulter stayed at minus-14 until a miscue led to a bogey at the 17th. Slocum reached the par-five 15th green in two, but Weekley missed the 25-foot eagle try. Slocum tapped in to move to 14-under, and, thanks to the bogey by England, into first place alone.
After the birdie at 15, Weekley used some spectacular iron play to get the Americans several birdie chances. Unfortunately for the U.S., Slocum’s putter went cold.
At the 16th, Weekley hit what appeared to be a poor approach right. That was until the ball rolled to nine feet, but Slocum pulled the team’s birdie opportunity.
Weekley hit a spectacular tee ball to four feet at the par-three 17th. Slocum lipped out the birdie putt on the left side, then missed another reasonable chance at 18.
Despite Slocum’s putting woes, the Americans are still atop the leaderboard. If they stay there on Sunday, Slocum and Weekley, late replacements for the U.S. team, will be the first victorious Americans at this event since Tiger Woods and David Duval in 2000.
Defending champion Germany struggled a bit on Friday. Alex Cejka and Martin Kaymer only managed a one-under 71, but are tied for fifth place with Denmark and Italy as each of those teams combined for rounds of four-under 68. The three countries are knotted at 11-under 133.
The Netherlands and Korea are tied for eighth place at minus-10 after each country shot 69s on Friday. Argentina (70) and France (71) share 10th at nine- under-par 135.
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