Webster on the up
Steve Webster, twice a runner-up this season, was looking to go one better after surging into contention at the French Open Alstom in Paris today.
The 34-year-old British golfer, who has won only two of his 350 European Tour events, covered the first 12 holes of his second round in six under par to be only a stroke behind overnight leader Martin Kaymer.
Webster was alongside Peter Hanson on eight under, the Swede taking over at the top by going to the turn in a sparkling 31 but then finding the water with his approach to the 416-yard first and taking a double-bogey six.
Kaymer, who equalled the course record with his opening 62, was among the later starters – as was Padraig Harrington, whose 72 had put him in danger of a fifth successive missed cut two weeks before his attempt to win a third successive Open title.
South African Charl Schwartzel stood four on his own at seven under with eight holes remaining – and Lee Westwood hit back from going in the lake at the first as well, with birdies on the next two to climb to five under and joint ninth.
Masters champion Angel Cabrera also dumped a ball in the water at the first and then did it twice on the short second. He was already heading out of the event, but his triple bogey sent him all the way down to seven over – eight behind his 20-year-old son Federico, who had yet to resume.
Jose Maria Olazabal, twice a winner at Augusta, was also heading for an early exit at two over with six to go – but that would at least give him time to get to Scotland for the Open Championship final qualifying on Monday and Tuesday.
Jean Van de Velde, runner-up to Paul Lawrie at Carnoustie 10 years ago after that dramatic closing triple-bogey seven, was also entered for the qualifying but had his eye on the one exempt spot up for grabs this weekend after starting with a 67.
His chances of grabbing that, however, slumped after he double-bogeyed the 18th, his ninth, and fell back to only one under and joint 49th.
On the same mark – and trying to make his first cut as a professional – was Irish Open amateur winner Shane Lowry.
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