Callum Macaulay takes a pot shot at glory

Published on Friday 18 December 2009 23:25

CALLUM Macaulay notched a hole-in-one as he moved up to tenth during the second round of the South African Open at Pearl Valley yesterday.

The Tulliallan golfer, who earned a place in the field in the pre-qualifying round on Tuesday, fired a three-under 69 for a five-under 139 and sits six shots behind halfway leader, Pablo Martin, who stayed on course for back-to-back titles with a 68 for 133.

Starting on the tenth, Macaulay made an early move with birdies on his opening two holes before holing his tee-shot at the 187-yard 15th to boost his challenge.

Martin, meanwhile, has his sights set on claiming a second victory in seven days after taking the clubhouse lead.

Martin, the only player to win European Tour titles as an amateur and a professional, won the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Sunday. And the 23-year-old is on track for back-to-back wins after adding a 68 to his opening 65 at Pearl Valley yesterday.

That gave the Spaniard an 11-under-par halfway total of 133 and a two-shot lead over Denmark's Anders Hansen, who carded a 69.

Starting on the back nine, Martin birdied the tenth, 12th and 16th before running up a double-bogey six on the 17th. However, he bounced straight back with a birdie on the 18th to reach the turn in 34 and, after another bogey on the first, rolled in a hat-trick of birdies from the third.

Hansen carded six birdies in his round, but also ran up a double-bogey six on the first and dropped another shot on the eighth.

None of the afternoon starters were able to challenge Martin's lead, including overnight leader Martin Erlandsson.

Erlandsson carded an opening 64 on Thursday but bogeyed the first yesterday and never got any momentum going.

The Swede dropped another shot on the tenth and carded two more bogeys and two birdies on the way home to return a disappointing 74 and lie five shots off the pace on six under.

Andrew Coltart jumped up 60 places and into a tie for 18th with a five-under 67 for a three-under 141. Richie Ramsay, fifth after round one, dropped back with a 75 for 142 and sits alongside fellow Scot Alan McLean, who had a 73.

David Drysdale posted a battling 70 and survived the cut on the 145 limit. Kirkcaldy's Peter Whiteford also squeezed into the weekend with a 72 for his one-over total.

&#149 Top Filipino golfer Frankie Minoza has missed out on his first chance to graduate to the US PGA's senior tour after failing to supply his birth certificate on time.

Minoza, who turns 50 at the end of the month, said he would instead return to the Japan Tour next year, although he admits age is catching up with him.

"I'm not getting any younger," Minoza said. "The competition is different now. The younger players are very good. Sometimes, I feel like I need to play against players my age to know if I'm still good enough."

The popular Minoza has won seven times on the Japan Tour and once on the Asian Tour in 26 years as a professional.

He shot a second round seven-under 65 to remain in contention for a third title at the 93rd Philippine Open at the Wack Wack Golf Club on Thursday.

"I'm not expecting a lot from this tournament," Minoza, who won his home open in 1998 and 2007, added. "I'm just too tired."

LEADERBOARD

EUROPEAN TOUR SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN Pearl Valley Golf Estates, Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa (Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72)

133 P Martin (Spa) 65 68

135 A Hansen (Den) 66 69

136 A Canizares (Spa) 69 67

137 L Oosthuizen (Rsa) 68 69, E Molinari (Ita) 68 69

138 J Kingston (Rsa) 72 66, M Erlandsson (Swe) 64 74, A Da Silva (Bra) 69 69, D Van der Walt (Rsa) 65 73

Others

139 C Macaulay 70 69

142 R Ramsay 67 75 A McLean 69 73

145 P Whiteford 73 72.